
Class ! '"t-t 
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6 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



A 
HISTORY OF WALPOLE, MASS. 










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ETONIAN PORTRAIT OF SIR ROBERT WALPOLE, ILLUSTRIOUS NAMESAKE 

OF THE TOWN 

PresenU'd to the town on its \6Sth anniversary by Isaac Neivto7i Lewis 



A HISTORY 



OF 



WALPOLE, MASS. 



FROM EARLIEST TIMES* 
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS 



3Y 



ISAAC NEWTON LEWIS, A.M., L.L.B. 

Life member of The American Historical Association and 
The New England H istoric-Genealoffical Society 



PUBLISHED BY THE 

Jfirst ^igtotlcal ^ocietp of msilpole, 9^a00. 

1905 



V\/i^ 



U' 



Copyrighted by 
ISAAC NEWTON LEWIS 

1905 

All rights reserved 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two CoDies Received 

FEB 9 1906 

^opvrleht Entry 

CLASSr <Xy XXi. No. 

/ > ? ^13 
' COPY B, 



The Plimpton Press Norwood Mass. U.S.A. 



PREFACE 

Every town, like every individual, has both character 
and history. Be it good or bad, some one is interested in 
it; some one is vitally bound fast to it, either for weal or 
woe. This grows wider and stronger with a town's age 
and influence. Our town, though fast forgetting its 
ancient traditions and jsturdy virtues,! from its great age, 
alone, deserves the unselfish efforts of some one of its 
many children in its preservation and perpetuation. The 
older the town, the more difficult and meager its earliest 
history becomes. The following pages, mostly appearing 
from time to time during the past forty years of my life, 
in my contributions to newspaper, magazine, and public 
audiences, I now for the first time in book form offer to 
my native, though somewhat unworthy town, as a trib- 
ute to my departed co-workers of the old First Walpole 
Historical Society, of which I am now the only surviving 
member. May its reception be as kind and cordial as 

the heart of the giver. 

ISAAC NEWTON LEWIS. 

East Walpole, Mass., 

June 30, 1905. 



[v] 



TO 
MY FATHER AND MOTHER 

aiffllilliam anU IfuUitb 80. JLetow, 

TO WHOSE USEFUL, UNSELFISH LIVES 

SO MANY HAVE BEEN INDEBTED, 

THESE PAGES ARE FILIALLY INSCRIBED. 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

ALLEN, DEACON JEREMIAH AND WILLARD LEWIS ...... 20i 

BIRD, F. W. . . i6o 

BIRD, HON. F. W 179 

BIRD, MARY R 186 

COMMON 176 

EVERETT, CHARLES — ISAAC LEWIS SEN. — PLACE OF 84 

FALLS, PETER, PLACE OF 13 

HOUSE, FIRST ON THIRD SAWMILL DIVIDEND 46- 

HOUSE, FIRST ON FOURTH SAWMILL DIVIDEND 47/ 

INDIAN DEED 18 • 

LANE, LEWIS CORNER AND LANE 19. 

LEWIS, JOHN W 159 

LEWIS, JUDITH M 187 

LEWIS, WILLIAM 158 

MEETING-HOUSE, FIRST IN WALPOLE 81 

MEETING-HOUSE, FIRST ORTHODOX 172 

MEETING-HOUSE, PRESENT ORTHODOX 175 

MEETING-HOUSE, METHODIST AT SOUTH WALPOLE 180 

MEETING-HOUSE, PRESENT UNITARIAN 178 

PARSONAGE, REV. PHILLIPS PAYSON .... 13 

PARSONAGE, REV. ASAHEL BIGELOW 173 

PLIMPTON, CALVIN G 197 

PLIMPTON, DEACON HENRY .171 

PLIMPTON, PRISCILLA G 157 

ROBICHAUX, MISS MARY 156 

TOWN HALL 183 

SCHOOLHOUSE, DWELLING OF NICHOLAS HARRIS , 137 

SCHOOLHOUSE, FIRST TWO-STORIED 156 

SCUDDER, FANNIE S 182 

STETSON, DEACON EVERETT 174 

STETSON, JOSHUA, JR» 155 

WALPOLE PUBLIC LIBRARY 184 

WALPOLE, SIR ROBERT Frontispiece 

[ix] 



A HISTORY OF WALPOLE, MASS. 



CHAPTER I 

THE towns of Dedham and Dorchester, ranging 
side by side from north to south, with their divi- 
sion line in what is now Walpole territory practically 
where Washington Street now runs, were among the 
first municipal corporations of the Province of Massa- 
chusetts Bay in America. The former was first called 
"Contentment," the latter "Dorchester New Grants" or 
"Graunts beyonde the Blew Hilles." Through this 
territory ran two old Indian trails, each apparently 
tending towards Lake Wollomonopoag and other fishing 
and hunting grounds of the Wampanoag and Narra- 
gansett tribes of Indians, of which King Philip after- 
ward became their most famous character and leader. 
One of these trails afterward became the "Old Roe- 
buck Road" or "Old Post Road," the other the "Old Saw 
Mill Road," to the Walpole Common, and from that point 
to Stop River and King PhiHp's territory beyond, the 
old Wrentham Road. These trails were blazed or in- 
dicated by burnt marks on the forest trees, and some- 
times, either to find a tree or escape some barrier, crooked 

[■] 



and turned until they often cast a grave suspicion upon 
the condition, if not the wisdom, of the original constructor. 
Even later than 1690 these old ways could be easily 
traveled only on foot or horseback, and in the latter 
manner the writer's ancestor, a Dedham constable, 
tax collector, and tithing man, was obliged to perform 
his arduous duties from Dedham even to the Wrentham 
line. His horse survived, however, and, together with 
a share in a sawmill, is appropriately mentioned in the 
inventory of his estate. After some years, ox-teams 
began to undertake these trails, and Dedham, wishing to 
derive some benefit from the great cedar swamp here, 
voted in 1658 to lay out the old Sawmill road; Nathaniel 
Colburn and Peter Woodward being chosen for that 
purpose. 

This road was intended to connect this cedar swamp 
and a sawmill built on or near the junction of School 
Meadow Brook and Neponset River by Capt. Eleazer 
Lusher and Lieut. Joshua Fisher about 1658, with the 
centre of Dedham. 

Under the date of 1661, after a grant by the town to 
these men, appears in the Dedham records this entry: 

" In Refranc to a Highway betwixt the Saw Mill and the Seader 
Swampe, Capt. Eleazer Lusher and Lieut. Joshua Fisher coming to 
Town for Paye for Twoe Bridges made by them in that Highwaye, we 
taking the same into Confideration, find the Comity chosen by the 
Towne to laye out that High Waye hath ingaged the Towne thirin, we 
thrfore to issu the same; to the content of the Towne as we confaive, 
have chofen these three Men here under written mutually by both 
Partyes, to Vew and Consider and Determin what may bee a Juste 
Recompense in that cause for them; provided it be payd out of Highwaye 

[2] 



worke. The Men chosen are John Haiward, Peter Woodard, John 
Fayerbank." 

This was really a private way needed to conveniently 
get the timber from the swamp to the sawmill, but as 
the right to erect the mill and flow the stream was a 
public grant with reservations in favor of the public, 
the latter willingly thus aided the promoters. 

The first human habitation built by the early settlers 
in what is now Walpole territory, in all probability, was 
at or near this old mill, followed by that of James Fales 
on Spice or Spring Brook, to whom, according to first 
records, the Indians early became a constant menace 
and source of danger. Thomas Clap, who married 
Mary, daughter of Joshua Fisher, one of the original 
owners of this sawmill, seems to have been the next 
permanent settler locating near to what is now the corner 
of Kendall and Main streets, and including in his estate 
the old town burial ground, which was, after his death, 
given to the town of Dedham for its present purpose by 
his son Eleazer, in return for land nearer the sawmill. 

" Avril 2d 1705. Itt was likwize putt too ye Voate of ye Prpriters 
whether thay doe graunte toe Eleazer Clap three Akers off Lande toe 
bee layd oute toe him bye Sirvayer & ye Commity apoyntd toe laye oute 
other Landes, prvided sayd Eleazer Clap doe graunt halfe an Aker off 
Lande in ye Corner off his horn Lott att yt Corner nexte ye Riviere and 
ye Highe Waye for a Buryal Plas; sayd three Akers off Lande is grauntd 
as abuvfayd toe bee layed oute toe sayd Eleazer joyninge toe his owne 
Lande att ye Plas cald ye Majours Playne, this is awnserd in ye Afer- 
mitif." 

Thomas Clap, the father of the above, may have been 

[3] 



buried here on his homestead, as was usual then and is 
now common in the Southern States, and this may have 
led the son to make this exchange. Possibly James Fales, 
Sr., and others of the first generation, also lay there, as 
this was after the death of the earliest settlers and nearly 
twenty years before Walpole was set oft' from the mother 
town. The spot, like its younger brother on Walpole 
Plain, is a venerable and interesting place, containing 
relics of mortal remains over two hundred and fifty 
years old: those who first braved this then dangerous 
wilderness, and by labors truly heroic wrested from 
savage, wild beast, and stubborn soil their meager com- 
forts of life and home, those who sailed away and cap- 
tured Louisburg, those who marched against their bitter 
French and Indian foes at Crown Point and the British 
redcoats of Lexington, Bunker Hill, and through the 
entire Revolutionary War. French, English, Welsh, 
Scotch, Huguenot exile, and negro slave, there lie mingled 
with their mother earth, unknown, unnoticed, and for- 
gotten; magistrates, ministers, military and plain hus- 
bandmen on the same humble level, now, and perhaps 
forever, like their earthly habitations, long since fallen 
into darkest oblivion. The well-intentioned efforts of 
the writer for their permanent welfare have never re- 
ceived the attention and cooperation that their unselfish- 
ness and perseverance deserve. Much has been accom- 
plished, but much more could be done. The difficulties 
of beginning have been surmounted. The cross has 
already been borne. The crown may be yours. 

Fhen came Ouinton Stockwell, Caleb Church, Samuel 

[4] 



Parker, Joseph Kingsbury, Joseph Hartshorn, William 
Robbins, Isaac Bullard, and a tew others, settling at or 
near the plain a half mile or more below the mill. 

Probably the earliest records connected with the history 
of Walpole are the following entries in the early Dedham 
records: 

"i2 Mo i8, 1647, |oh Dwite & P'rauncis Chickeringe give notis of 
their Hopes of a Myne neer certayn Pondes, Aboute 13 Miles from ye 
Towne soe claymeing ye P'veledge of ye Towne Graunte, it is in or neere 
ye South Lyne." 

In the town orders, closely connected with the covenant 
of the original settlers of Dedham, a special reference 
was made to discoveries of metals, and inducements 
offered to exploration, leading not only to the above, but 
to the following, two years later: 

"Anthony Fifher, Senio & Robt. Crosseman give Notis of thier 
Difcoverie of a Myne of Mettall. Claymeing ye FrveHdg of ye Towne 
Order to them thier heyres and Affignes Lyeing above or Westerly of 
ye Plas wher Naponcet Rivere devide. Pte being on ye Southe Syde of 
ye Greateste Streame of ye sd Rivere. & is Pt betwixte ye Deviffion of 
ye sd Streames Lying in Severalle Places theraboute. 26 of 3 mo, 1649." 

Thus early the setting up an iron works and sawmill 
was frequently discussed, but no action taken. The 
latter mine referred to was probably on Spring Brook, 
which was early worked, and concerning which con- 
ditions and reservations were, down to the present day, 
inserted in deeds of conveyance of adjoining land. It 
has been asserted that the first iron cannon made in this 
country for use in the French and Indian War were 
molded from this ore. 

[5] 



In 1647 Eleazer Lusher, one of the promoters of our 
old sawmill, was allowed by special vote to cut cedars 
near where he afterward stationed the mill. 

Long before this Nathaniel Whiting, an ancestor of 
the writer, had erected a grist-mill on Mother Brook on 
the creek early dug by the Dedham first settlers for the 
purpose of getting proper mill power, and which, to this 
day, has contmued to run most of Dedham's manufac- 
turing mdustries, while the old sawmill near Blackburn's 
old privilege, and the iron puddle mill near the Diamond 
Pond, have long since been entirely forgotten. 

In 1660 Eleazer Lusher and Joshua Fisher are again 
referred to thus: 

"Libertie is graunted to ye Undertakers of ye Sawe Mille to cutt 
Grasse for Haye according to their Graunte, att what Seeson they 
Judge Meete." 

The same year appear the following entries concerning 
the first minister: 

"Libertie is graunted to our Reved Pastore to have 20 acres of his 
Divident layed out somwher neer ye Sawe Mille to bee layed out byNath 
Coalburne and Rich Ellice." "Graunted to Mr AUin Pastore Libertie 
to take 5 akers off Uplande neere ye Sawe Mille in pt off his Rite in 
ye Divident of ye 500 Akers and allsoe 5 Akers more there in fulle 
satiffactione for ye UppLande due for purchafed Lande." 

A school had early been established, as appears from 
the following: 

"At a Generall Meting of ye Towne ye 5 of ye 1 1 mo 1656, ye Towne 
by Voate give a Calle to Mich. Meatcalfe to keepe Schoole in our Towne 
and leave it to ye next Selectmen to agree with hym there in." 

[6] 



The following records also refer to our territory: 

"Ye Towne bye Voate resolve yt the Swampe neere Meadfield shall 
bee disposed of in Propriatie. 

"Graunted to Daniel Morse two Seders to make Clabbord out in ye 
above mentioned Swampe. 

"Agreed that thoieyt hav felled Trees allready in yt Swampe shall bee 
caled to Accounte, to make Sattilfacton accordin to Justis. Itt is 
ordered yt ye Swampe above mentoned shall bee disposed off bye pticuler 
Graunte to each Townesman according to ye ordinarie Ruls by which 
Landes have been divided, provided yt noe other Parte therof bee layed 
out but only such as shall bee ufeful for CederTimbur& shall bee Judged 
meete to bee in Propriatie by ye Men heere after deputed to order ye 
Same in yt Respecte to whofe Judgement in this Cafe ye Towne promise 
to submitt Nath Coalburne, Sergt. Fisher & Joshua Fisher are deputted 
& impowered therin." 

This was followed a year later by this entry: 

" Att a Generall Meting off ye Inhabatance off ye Towne of Deadham, 
ye 4 of ye ii mo 1657. In Refferans to ye Proppofition aboute ye Sawe 
Mille ye Towne leve ye Aniur till furder Confideration." 

The next year 

"att a Generalle Metinge of ye Towne 3, 11, 1658. In Refferans to 
ye Settinge upp off a Sawe Mille, it is lefte to ye men heereafter named 
to agree & conclude on ye Townes Behalfe with such Pfons as shalle 
prfent Themfelves for ye Settinge upp off a Sawe Mille & toe give them 
such Incoragemente as they shall Judge Meete, these three Men are chosen 
bye ye Towne & if Anny of yeThree apeere to bee sd Pties,then ye Elder 
is toe bee one of Three & ye Firft Three are Sergt Fifher, Nath Coale- 
burne, Pet Woodard. Articles refpecting ye Sawe Mille agreed and 
concluded uppon betwixt ye Comittee deputed by Towne order therunto 
ye one Ptie & Lieft. Joshua Fifher and Eleazer Lusher who presented 
to undertake ye Buildinge and Manageing such a Mille on the other 
Ptie as followeth viz. In Prms: Wee ye sayd Comittee whose Names 

[7] 



are heere unto subfcribed in ye Name of ye Towne of Deadham and bye 
ye Truste and Power Towne orders to us in this Cafe given, give and 
graunt Libertie unto ye sd Eleazer and Joshua theyer Heyres Executers 
Adminiftraters and Afi'ignes joyntly & severalhe toe builde and erecte a 
Sawe Mille uppon Naponcett River or any Parte there of wher they shalle 
judge most Meete for ye Empvnt off ye 1 imbur in ye Ceader Swampe 
allready graunted, and to that Ende to take and make use of eny Timbur 
whatsoeever, as allso Woode, Stons or Earthe as they shall have Occa- 
iine to make use off aboute Buildinge or otherwize as shall apeare 
nessarie thereunto, all which they have to take in eny Comon Lande of 
ye Towne, with ye free life of Soe much in all Refpects, aboute sd Mille 
as they shall occaiionallie ufe for their Worke, and all these to have uie 
and enjoye without Disterbans or Molestation, soe long as themfelves 
or their Heyers or Afiignes shall mayntain a Sawe Mille there. And 
furder whereas ye Charge of Erecting ye Mille aforesd is like to bee 
Create, We ye Comittee aforesd, doe for ye incoragemente of ye sd 
Undertakeres and their Heyeres aforesd, graunte all ye Timbur of alle 
or eny Kinde or Sorte that shall bee founde eny wheres not formerly 
graunted, excepting Allwayes that Seder Timbur att ye Southe Ende off 
ye greate Ceader Swampe aforesd, which we reserve in ye Townes 
Behalfe yt if ye Towne shall within ye Spase of Twoe Yeares next in- 
sewing graunte ye same to such as whofe Lottes in ye sd Swampe graunted 
was defective, for Repairations ther unto or otherwize, we graunt that 
lote there to ye Undertakers and their Heyers aforesd, allsoe furder 
that if eny other Swampe shall bee founde within ye forefayd Plas con- 
teyneTwentie Akers of Swampe m one Plase soe that it shall bee judged 
bye ye Towne fitt to devide for devident it shall bee encluded in ye former 
Graunte above written, pvided allwayes that ye Graunte off Timbur 
aforesd shall not prjudise ye Iron Workes in Case ye Towne shalle 
pceede therein, nor hinder eny Townsman of Libertie to make ule off 
eny oake Timbur there that for his Life hee shall neede; Allsoe pvided 
that this Graunte off other Timbur, besids Pine and Ceader shall only 
extende to such Timbur as is beyonde ye mille & furthere from th.is 
Towne than ye sayd Mille. And all thefe Grauntes abovesd shall re- 
mayne and stande good to ye sd Granteese and their Heyers aforesaid 

[8] 



soe long as they shall mayntayne a Sawe Mille as aforesaide there. 
And furder it is agreed, yt in Cafe ye Towne shall laye out a Generall 
Devident, then it shall bee att ye Libertie of ye sd Undertakers, their 
Heyers and Affignes aforesd to have their Devident layed out there 
aboute wher they shall chuse. 2. And father we ye sayd Comittie 
doe graunt Libertie to ye sayd Undertakers and their Heyers aforefayd 
to take yearely soe much Graffe in some Meadowe or Meadowes there- 
about as shall be sufficient well to winter foure or sixe Oxen, and if 
Plentie of Meadowe shall be founde there aboute this Graunte shall bee 
inlarged. 3. We ye Comittie aforesd, doe in ye Behalfe and in ye 
Name of ye Towne pmise and ingage that noe other sawe mille shall 
be errected or sett up in or uppon that Streame of Naponcett, except it 
bee by ye Consente of ye sd Undertakers, for ye Spase of Tenne Yeares 
after ye Daye of ye Date heere of, that is to saye within ye Bowndes of 
Deadham. 4. Further it is joyntly agreed that whatsoever Pyne or 
Ceader Timbur ye sd Mille shall cutt for eny off ye Inhabitanc of this 
Towne into Inch Boarde, yt one Halfe of ye Boarde shall bee alowed 
to ye Owners of ye Timber, and ye Refte to ye Owners off ye Mille. 
And its allsoe agreed that if ye Mille bee at Worke in cutting for ye 
Owners off ye Mille, and that eny Inhabitant bring a considerabel 
Quantytie of Tymber to bee cutt, that then ye Mille shall not worke 
above Tenn Days for ye Owners, before that Tymber ot ye sd Inhabi- 
tent is began to bee cutt, if it bee desired so to bee, and its allso agreed 
that ye Tymber shall be cutt according to Succeffion of Tyme as it is 
brot to Mille. And its allso further agreed that if any Inhabitent shall 
att any Tyme bring so much Tymber that it is a pjudice to ye Owners 
or Others, then upon Complaynt to ye Select Men for the Tyme being 
the Select Men shall have Power to regulate ye same as they shall Judge 
Meete and Equall. 5. Further it is allso agreed, that if eny Man shall 
have Boarde cutt att ye Mille shall sell eny Board at a lower Price than 
ye Owners usually doe, then its at the Libertie of ye Owners whether 
they shall cutt eny more for that Pson for ye Space of two Yeares after 
or not, but if after ye Mille have been in Worke two Yeares, any such 
first offer ye sd Boarde to ye Owners at such a Price as is tendered them 
& that ye Owners aforefd refuse it, then ye sd Psons shall be at Libertie 

[9] 



to sell as they se Cause, and all these Graunts Conclufions and Agree- 
mts shall remayne in Fource all ye Tyme that ye saide Sawe Mille shall 
be mayntayned upon ye sayd Streame. Mrd that all these Graunts 
above written are made upon this further condicion that ye sd Under- 
takers, their Heyers, Executors or Allignees, doe erecte and fitt ye sd 
Mille for Worke before ye 24th of ye 4th month Anno 1660 — subscribed 
by us ye 4th of March 1658-9." 

Next to the old sawmill, the location of the premises 
of Joseph Hartshorn becomes most important, as both 
are often mentioned in Dedham's early records in rela- 
tion to the old o-rants to the first settlers under the name 
of the Sawmill dividends. These premises were between 
the Stetson privilege and Gould Street, and extended from 
the Neponset River to the waste land to the west, as will 
later appear. 

In the Dedham records we find the following, plainly 
showing that in those early days men were no more 
prompt than now in highway matters: 

"february 22, lyof. Upon the Complaynt by the sirveiers that the 
Waye from the old Saw Mill to the Seder Swamp and to the Meadows 
is not layd out, the Selectmen have chose Daniel Fisher & John Deane 
a Comity to laye out said Waye." 

Three years passed before this "Comity" reported, 
and then as follows: 

"We whose Names are hereunto subfcribed, being Deputed by the 
Towne and Selectmen of Dedham to laye out a High Waye from the 
Countrie Roade to the old Sawe Mille, and from thence to the greate 
Seder Swampe beyond said mill, doe make Return of our Doing thereof. 
We began betweene the House of John Farringtun and the House of 
(Lieut.) Barachiah Lewis at the Place caled Mackenabs Spring, laying the 
Waye two Rodes wide as it is now drawn untill it come over the Brooke 

[10] 



and then turning to the Right Hand by the Side of the Hille till we 

Come to the Top of the Hille, and then turning to the left Hande to 

the Fence of said Lewis, and soe two Rodes wide by the Fence as it now 

standeth untill we came to the Land of Nathaniel Farringtun, and soe 

by his Line untill we Come to the Toppe of the Hille by said Farringtuns 

Field and thus taking in both Wayes as they are now drawn to the Bottom 

of the Hille, and soe two Rodes wide as the Waye is now most Convenient 

untill we Come to the Brooke neer the House of Joseph Hartshorne, 

and then goeing strait up the Hille beyond the Brooke to the Waye old 

drawn, which Parceill of Waye said Hartshorne doe ingage to make 

good at his own Charge, if not, as the Waye is now drawn, and so two 

Rodes wide as the Waye is now drawn to the House of Thomas Clape 

deceased, and soe tuning over Naponset River in the old Wrentham 

Roade, and soe as the Waye is drawn, to the greate Shaving Plase at 

the Seder Swampe. 

"Daniel Fisher. 

"John Deane." 

The Sawmill road was for more than a hundred years 
called by its old name and can even now easily be identi- 
fied its entire length from Dedham, up through Wild Cat, 
the Hartshorn neighborhood to the old Thomas Clap 
place, up by the place of his son Thomas, winding around 
the south side of the hilltop across the centre of what is 
now the Common, through the river and up Spring Street 
in a winding course to the plain by the cedar swamp of 
to-day; but although then called and afterwards known 
as the Sawmill road, one is disappointed in not finding 
any indication of where or how it reached that old saw- 
mill institution. 

As early as 1700, Ebenezer Fales transported over it 
the boards to enlarge Dedham's second meeting-house, 
but in what way he reached the road from the mill is 



not very clear. It probably was up the hill in the rear 
of the Blackburn house, over the top of the hill and down 
its west side, straight across the middle of the Common 
to where Main Street now bisects the Common. 

Under the date of April 2, 1705, the Dedham records 
make further reference to this old way, as follows: 

"Said Selectmen chose Capt. Samuel Guild and (Lieut.) Barachiali 
Lewis a Commity to laye out a Highway from the old Saw Mill Roade 
near four mile Tree to the Country Road at Naponset River." 

This was probably Guild Street, Norwood. 

In June, 1722, the old Wrentham road or trail which 
wound from the middle of the Common down over the 
Neponset River, up over Scratch Hollow, and Powder 
House Hill to Stop River, was further laid out and im- 
proved under the title of " Roade from Thos. Clap's to 
Stop River two Rodes wide by Jon. Metcalf, Ebenezer 
Woodard and Jeremiah Fisher." 

It is not until Nov. 7, 1723, that we get any clear idea 
how the northerly connection of the old sawmill and the 
old Sawmill road was to run. For more than eighty 
years those patronizing the mill had to take whatever 
way the Claps and Faleses made use of straight through 
the Common, all Clap land, or the old Sawmill dividend 
right of way which was in worse condition. On that 
date the following report was made: 

"We, the Suhscribers being desired by the Selectmen to lay out a 
High Waye from the Road leading from Wrentham, near the House of 
Thomas Clap, have attended said Worke and layd out the Waye two 
Rodes broad near where the Wave is now drawn by the House of Joshua 






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Clap, and soe over the River near the old Saw Mille, and as the Waye 
now is to Claps Meadows, and soe over the River and the South end 
of the Meadow called brush Meadow into the Land of Robert Allin, 
and soe to Dorchester Line, and in the Land of John Allin next to Dor- 
chester Line to the thirteenth Lott. _, „ 

rETER hALES, 

Joshua Clap." 

The Thomas Clap mentioned was son of the Thomas 
before referred to, and Hved in a house given him by his 
father and represented to have been bought of Colonel 
Byfield, which stood near the Lewis Clap place. He 
had considerable of his father's property; gave to Wal- 
pole, soon after its seceding from Dedham and incorpora- 
tion, its first pound. He also, sad to relate, was the first 
taxpayer punished for giving a false return of his tax- 
able property, and was obliged to pay a fine which went 
to the poor of the town. 

The Joshua Clap mentioned was his brother, hved 
near the Warren Clap place, and boarded Walpole's 
first minister, the Rev. Joseph Belcher. 

Peter Fales, the other committee, lived on the farm 
north of Spring Brook, which some ten years after be- 
came the parsonage of Walpole's second minister, the 
Rev. Philhps Payson. 

This old way from the Sawmill road to the land beyond 
the sawmill, after the ascent of the old Dam hill from the 
Common, connected with a way across the Dorchester 
fine to Colonel Billing's farm in what is now Sharon, 
passing by the house of James Bardens, one of the first 
members of the Walpole church. 

The only other road of that early period was from 

[■3] 



the Neponset River at what is now Lewis Corner, and 
on through the Sawmill Dividends to the old sawmill. 
North and High streets were not made for years after. 

The Wampanoags claimed all the land south of Stop 
River, and before Dedham could settle what is now 
Wrentham, she was obHo-ed to send a commission to 
King Philip at Lake WoUomonopoag to treat with him 
for the adjoining territory. 

Under 9, 8, 1669, their appears this action in the matter: 

"Upon notis frome Phillip Sagamor yt hee is nowe att Wollo- 
monuppoage and offeres a Treatie aboute a sayl oflF his Rites in ye 
Landes thereaboute within ower Bowndes nott yt puchafd in Coniidera- 
shun tharoff Tymo. Dwite Anth. Fisher Junr. Robt Ware Rich Ellice 
and Jon Thirston Senr. or any Foure or Three off them are deputid 
and empourd toe repayre toe Wollomonuppoag on ye Morrowe, and 
Treet with ye sd Phillip in Ordere toe a Contrak with him toe cleere 
alle his remayneing Rites within our towne Bowndes pvided hee make 
his Rite apeere, and uppon Contrak secur our Towne from all Claymes 
off alle other Endiens in ye Landes hee contrak for, uppon which Tearmes 
and what els this Comittie or ye majour pt off them shalle juge requisit 
if they se juste Corse toe make a Contrak with him, thay have Pour soe 
to doe, and make Retourn to ye Select Men off wt thay doe heerein lesse 
or more. 

"A Bil is given Samll Fisher toe Receive off yt Cunftabel 12 s in fulle 
Sattyffaxun for his Charj in Entertayneing ye Endeans in ye Tyme off 
Treetie aboute ye purchifing thayr Rites att Wollomonuppoag and ye 
Reste off ye Lande within oure Bowndes. 

"Upon Reseate off a Lettr fro Sagarmoor Phillip off Mownt hope 
tendring Sal off his Rites in ye Landes in oure Towne beyonde Wollo- 
monuppoag and thereaboute, and desyringe 5;^^ in peage att pfent, 
uppon yt accont a Lettr is ordered toe bee ritten and sent toe Nathenll 
Payen off Rehoobothe toe difburfe yt fom for ye Towne toe ye sayd 
Sagermoor uppon Condiciuns as in yt Lettr exprest. Li reffrans toe 

[14] 



ye Quefton concerninge ye Endiens empruving Land att Wollomonup- 
poag itt is Jugd mete toe sende them a copye off ye Graunte mad toe 
Indien Sarah and ye Condishians thar off and thayer Ackceptanc 
thereoff yt if thay have Libertie toe emprove itt thys sumer, thay may 
knoe itt is Curtsy and expeck itt noe longere." 

In 1684 we find the following record: 

"4, 16, 84 AiTembld after Trayninge Enfin Fullar, Sargt Ponde, 
Sergt Metcalfe, Sergt Ellic, Nath Stearnes. 

"Wee being infomed yt Jofias Sonn ye Indian Sacham laye Claym 
toe yt Tracte off Lande Eyeing between Dorchestar Eyne and Napon- 
cett Rivier neer aboute ye Sawe Mille and yt hee mak Teander off ye 
sayd Track toe sale; wee doe tharfore desyre and apoynte Sergt Rich 
Ellic toe Surch ye Rekords, and see iff eny Thyng maye bee founde 
toe clere Deadhams Tytel toe ye sd Lande and make Retourne att ye 
fyrft Oper-tunitie." 

As late as 1682 we find 

"upon Infourmashun yt ther ar sevrall Indianes resideinge in our 
Towne toe ye Offenc and Damiage off Some off our Lihabitanc. A 
Warrante is sente toe ye Counstapel toe warne tham toe remuve them- 
felves toe Puncapoguc, Natik or Wemesett acordyng toe Lawe." 

It is interesting to note the many and momentous 
questions and undertakings of that struggling Dedham 
community. The very month when it is trying to pacify 
the sa\age, we find the following reference to its worthy 
effort to help on the only seat of learning in the English 
settlements in America, called, but a few years before, after 
the Rev. John Harvard, of Charlestown, Mass., Harvard 
College. 

"In Ansser toe ye Cort Ordere sente upp toe ye Towne toe demaunde 
ye Remayndr off ye Paie yt is toe bee payd yt was givn toe ye new Collidg; 

[■51 



wee choos Capt Fifher toe goe toe Bofton toe give an Acounte toe Comity 
accordynge toe ye Corte Ordere howe Thinges dee yett stande." 

If the payment was to be in coin, we can easily see 
their difficulty. When they were forced to negotiate 
with the Indian chief Nahoiden that same year, the best 
they could do was ten pounds in money, and the re- 
mainder in Indian corn and land far removed. What 
little coin there was was cHpped and of short weight. 
The common purse in use was the meal bag in which 
went Indian corn, peas, rye and sometimes wampum or 
peag, as it was called, and not infrequently iron nails. 
Minister, schoolmaster and strong water keeper were all 
served alike, fire-wood and cedar rails notwithstanding. 

Dedham had already made two purchases of title 
from Indians, one of which had come from Wampituck, 
sachem of the Neponset and Punkapoag tribes, who 
claimed pretty much, if not all, of Walpole territory. In 
the deed taken to satisfy the above claim of Josiah, a 
reservation was made to the tribe of Punkapoag Indians 
of all the land between the angle made by the Neponset 
River and Dorchester line and old Lewis Lane, now the 
southerly end of Plimpton Street, for hunting, trapping, 
and fishing. Old relics still exist of this late Indian use, 
and doubtless close exploration would disclose many 
Indian remains. They clung to this reservation, greatly 
to the annoyance of James Fales and the very few settlers 
thereabout, until their chief, on October 8, 1685, was 
induced to relinquish his rights in the following manner: 

"To all People to whom these Presents shall come, Charles Josiah, 
son of Josiah, son and Heir of Chicatawbut only Sachem of the Massa- 

[16] 



chusetts Country and sole Proprietor thereof when the English arrived 
in these Parts, sendeth Greeting; Know Ye that in a late Sale of the 
Towne of Dedham to the Inhabitants thereof, I reserved to myself two 
Hundred Acres of land, and to my Heires and Affigns to be layd out 
near Naponsett River, neare the Sawe Mill of sayd Towne, which is 
since conveniently layd out as is there covenanted and agreed, reference 
thereto being had; Now be it known that I, the sayd Charles Josiah, 
Sachem in Consideration of a valuable Some of Monie to be in hand 
payd by Nathaniel Paige of Boston, with the Advice and Confent and 
Knowledge and Approbation of William Stoughton of Dorchester, Esq. 
and Joseph Dudley of Roxbury, Esq. my Guardian and Prochien ami, 
have given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, set over, enfeofed, and con- 
firmed unto him, the sayd Nathaniel Paige, alle my Right, Title and 
Interest in and to the sayd Land by me reserved and survaied as afore- 
faid lyeing, situate and being in the Boundes of the aforefayd Towne of 
Dedham contayning by Estimation Two Hundred Acres, bee the same 
more or lesse, butted and bounded by the Line betwix the Townes of 
Dorchester and Roxbury on the Southward and on all other Sides by the 
Common and undisposed Lands of the sayd Towne of Dedham or how- 
ever otherwise butted and bounded. To have and to hold, possess and 
enjoy the whole aforefayd Tract of Land contayning and bounded as 
aforefayd. In Witnefs whereof I, the sayd Charles Josiah, have hereunto 
sett my Hand and scale, this eighth of October Anno Dom. One thousand 
Sixe Hundred Eighty and Vive. 

"Charles Josiah (Signum). 

"William Stoughton. 

"Joseph Dudley." 

The last Indians in Dedham territory were Alexander 
Quabish and his wife Sarah David. The latter died at 
Joseph Wight's in 1774- Thus by this deed which was 
Ions after found in an old Salem desk and restored to 
Dedham, the town was, with the exception of the Indian 
Sarah and George and Ephraim, who continued to plant 

[17] 



a little Indian corn and catch a few rabbits and fish^ 
quite rid of permanent aboriginal rovers. 

This was for years called Paige's Farm and extended 
from the School Farm of Dorchester Grant of 1662, 
which came up to the office of F. W. Bird & Son, to old 
Lewis Lane, now East Plimpton Street, and was found to 
exceed the 200 acres mentioned. Nathaniel Paige was 
a public marshal, and left on his death two daughters, 
Elizabeth and Sarah. Elizabeth married John Simpkins, 
mariner, who with Thomas Simpkins, cooper, of Boston, 
sold the northerly half of the farm, 102 acres, Sept. 16, 1732, 
to Thomas Pemberton, mariner, of Boston, who some 
years later sold a portion to the Pettee family, members 
of which still live on a part of the premises; a part 
also was owned by Isaac Lewis, Sr., and his brother John. 

Sarah, the other daughter of Paige, married Samuel 
Hill, jr., of Boston and Billerica, who sold the southerly 
portion of the farm, 102 acres. May 12, 1725, to Joseph 
Carroll of Stoughton and Samuel Foster of Salem, the 
deed reciting that the other half was owned by Mr. John 
Simpkms of Boston, marmer, and that the premises were 
bounded on the south in part by land of Thomas Paine 
(the Second Sawmill dividend) and in part by land of 
Thomas Metcalf (the Third Sawmill dividend), west and 
northwest by Neponset River, and east and southeast by 
Dorchester line. In 1736, Carroll and Foster made an 
equal division of their half of the farm by a deed still in 
the author's possession, Carroll taking the easterly half 
afterwards owned by Isaac Lewis, Jr., and Foster the 
westerly half, which, not long after, was sold to Joseph 

[18] 




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THE OLD INDIAN DEED OF THE ISAAC LEWIS, ELEAZER RHOADS, SAMUEL THOMP- 
SON, AND JOSEPH PETTEE FARMS IN EAST WALPOLE, OTHERWISE CALLED 
PAIGE'S FARM, REDUCED TO ONE TENTH OF ITS ACTUAL SIZE 

It contains the names of two Governors of the Province, and was the last purchase and cov- 
ered the last hunting grounds of the Indian in our territory. The old Indian mortar near 
the Neponset in Plimptonville is of the same period 





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LEWIS CORNER, EAST WALPOLE 
OW Lcivis Lane, birthplace of John W. Lewis, East Street. Line 
between Paige's farm and the First and Seeond Saivmill divi- 
dends. Scene of the last parade of the old Walpole Light In- 
fantry. The William Lewis place and birthplace of the writer 



Coney, who in 1773, sold it to Isaac Lewis, Sr., a por- 
tion of which premises still remains in the hands of his 
descendants, although the extreme westerly border, for 
years known as Lewis Lane, was sold by him to Levi 
Maxey, agent of the Neponset Factory Company, for a 
way to their mills, the deed being drawn in 1814 to 
William Appleton, of Boston, who held an interest in the 
mills. 

The older towns of the Province of Massachusetts 
Bay apportioned their common lands among their in- 
habitants according to their claims and means, and so 
Dedham and Dorchester before 1700 began to assign to 
settlers portions of the territory now belonging to Walpole. 
There was a long and narrow stretch of waste land 
bounded on the north by this old Paige Farm, on the 
east by the old Dorchester line, and on the west by the 
Neponset River, which was known as the Common land 
between the sawmill and land of Joseph Hartshorn, and 
the Dorchester line. 

Portions of this were soon coveted by the few settlers 
in this part of Dedham, and in compliance with their 
wishes, the town voted to divide it among the settlers 
and its other inhabitants. Thus before 1720 the whole 
of this new section was taken up. The lots, or Sawmill 
Dividends as they were, until recent years, commonly 
called, began at what used to be the Daniel Ellis factory, 
afterward machine shop of C. G. & H. M. Plimpton, 
which was lot One. Lot Two was assigned to Thomas 
Paine, who, like most of the first owners, never made 
any use of it. Lot 7 hree fell to Thomas Metcalf, which, 

[19] 



with the Paine lot, soon became the property of Joseph 
Coney, and WiUiam and Joseph Pettee, and, finally, 
in 1768 and subsequently, except the east side of the 
way, the property of John Lewis, an old soldier of the 
French and Indian war, and elder son of Isaac Lewis, 
owner of the lot beyond. The Fourth lot fell to Sergt. 
Eleazer Kingsbury, who, with his heirs, held it for twenty 
years, and then sold to Isaac Lewis, son of Lieut. Bara- 
chiah Lewis, whose descendants still retain it. This 
Fourth lot contains some sixty odd acres, and was the 
first sawmill dividend to extend the whole distance from 
the Neponset River to the Dorchester line. Thus were 
these Dividends continued southward up to and beyond 
the Common until the sawmill and cedar swamp were 
reached, and through their whole course, from the upper 
part of Bird's Pond to the junction of Common and 
Washington streets, was reserved a right of way for the 
several owners to pass and repass, the Lewis Lane, be- 
fore referred to, extending to what is now East Street. 
(East and Union streets from the old country or Post 
road at the old Isaac Lewis place, afterwards Warren 
Fairbanks place, in East Walpole, were not laid out for 
many years.) East Street from Lewis's corner to Allen's 
corner, thence over Fales and Allen and other lands to 
the sawmill and Dorchester line. 

The entire way was in its original bad condition until 
ten years after Walpole separated from Dedham, and 
no worthy attempt to make even the old Sawmill Road, 
our chief street, fairly passable was made by Dedham 
until the year of the final struggle for separation from 

[20] 



the mother town. Highways in those days were, like 
taxes, when possible, worked out, and disposition was 
generally as weak and profitless as the labor expended. 

The patient oxen of our fathers perseveringly, though 
often disastrously, Hke the Indian, overcame all difficulties; 
so until the town was pretty clear from the Indian title, no 
widenmg or levelmg of roads was attempted. Even in his 
most peaceable condition, the Indian, although the early 
settlers often took for help one or more of the young men 
into their families, was nevertheless sharply watched, and 
usually avoided. 

"In 1660 Dedham voted that Lieut. Fisher, Ens. Fisher, Sergt Fuller, 
Sergt ElHce Rich Wheeler are deputied to viewe ye Lande both Upp 
Lande and Medowe neere aboute ye Pondes by Gorge Indiand Wigg- 
warm & make Reporte of what they finde to ye Select Men in ye firft 
Optunitie they can take." 

Also, during the same year, it was voted as follows: 

"Lieft Fisher & Sergt Ellice air deputed to Treate (& if it may bee) 
to conclud wth ye Indians or Sagamour that clayme Rite att Wolo- 
monuppucke to bye them all oute and cleere ye Plas from all Endian 
Tytel." 

In 1667 it was voted that 

"A Lettr is odered to bee sent to Capt Willett to requeaste him to bee 
helpfull to us bye speakeing wth Sagamor Phillip to cause ye Endiens 
to departe from Wollomonuppoage." 

The next year it was voted, 

"Upon ye Requeaste of Endian Sarah of Wollomonuppoage moved 
in her Beehalfe to ye ppriate ther soe many of them as are prefent doe 
Graunte to ye saide Endian Sarah one piece off Upp Lande neere a 

[21] 



Ponde aboute 2 Miles west warde from ye scituation of ye Towneshipp 
at Wollomonuppoag in exchange for that Lande ye sayd Sarah here 
Sonne, or Gorge her Bruther possesse or Clayme in ye Townefhippe 
aforefayd to bee sett out to her bye Robt Ware and Saml Fisher ye 
field beinge by estimation lo Akers and ye have Libertie to take Fence- 
ing Stufte and are injoyned to keepe it sufficentlie fensed." 

This George was the same mentioned above. For 
years he and his sister Sarah had planted maize upon 
several plains between Stop River and Archer's Pond. 
Other Indians, besides the friendly native settlement, 
well known to our ancestors, were Chicatabut, Ephraim, 
John Monaco, Nahatan, John Magus, John Speene, 
Charles Josias alias Wampituck, Mayns, Nowanitt, 
Peter and Thomas Speene, Waban, King Philip, Wampi- 
tuck and Ogquonikongquamesitt. Some were useful in 
running errands and freeing the forests and swamps of 
the wolves and other troublesome wild beasts, others as 
counter-irritants against the common hardships and per- 
plexities of daily life. Chicatabut married the daughter 
of Wampituck, and was the father of Josias. 

As early as 1637 we find: 

"Ordered ye watches & Wardes shall bee carefully sett & kept & 
alle othere Thyngs done & performed accordinge to ye Ordere of ye 
Towne in ye best Manner we may bee abel. And to yt Perpose 
Daniell Moss chosen Sarjant att Armes to order ye same untill we 
have other supplie." 



[22 J 



CHAPTER II 

1~^HE names of the early settlers here were variously 
spelled; thus we read that Dedham in 1663 entered 
in her records: 

"Graunted unto James Vales a perceil of Lande att ye easte ende of 
ye Lands hee have att ye Sawe Mille in sattiffaxtion for his purchis 
Lande that was due to ye halfe Lott he Hve uppon, as it shall bee layd 
out by Jofhua Fisher & Edwarde Richardes." 

Immediately after comes the following reference to our 
present Common : 

"Graunted unto Mr. John Allin 18 Akers off Lande uppon ye Playne 
halfe a mille this sid ye Sawe Mille on this sid ye Brooke on ye righte 
Hand of ye Parth as wee goe to ye Mille." 

And this is followed in the same year by reference to 
the meadow on the Neponset, above the mill, as follows: 

"2d. Agreed to perpose to ye Towne that all comon meadowes of ye 
Towne not formerlie stayted shall be layd o-ut in a generall Devident and 
ye Meadowe aboute ye Sawe Mille that is not formerlie stayted to bee 
solde to ye ppriaters that are & shall bee setled aboute ye Sawe Mille." 

At this early date, the greater portion of this part of 
Dedham was held in common, so we in the same year 
find the town recorded : 

"Upon ye Requeast of Samuell Parker and Thomas clape to have 

[23] 



Libertie to cutt sume Grase not withstandinge ye Order of Reyftraynt 
to cutt in ye comon medowes, Libertie is graunted them to cutt 6 Lodes, 
Sam Parker 4 Lods, Tho Clape 2 Lods provid thay cutt not neearer ye 
Towne then ye Sawe Mille nor in ye Graunte mayd in Referanc to ye 
Sawe Mille." 

The same year, the same Samuel Parker obtained the 
following grant, which mentions Spring Brook under 
its early name: 

"Samuel Parker movinge for a parcell of Swampie Lande betwene 
Spice brooke & ye Lande hee Bot of Joshua Fisher, ye Moshun being 
putt to Voat. Ye Voat was Generall for ye Graunt off ye Moshun, ye 
Contrarie beinge putt not Eny voated ye Contrarie." 

Just before this stands a reference to the old Plain or 
Wrentham road (not the Honey Pot road) : 

" Joshua Kent Robt. Ware & Sergt Ellice beeing Defective m ther 
High Waye Worke this yeare, thay have Libertie to doe so much Worke 
in ye High Waye ledeing to Woolomonapock as thay were behindhande 
this laft Sumer, which if thay doe, ye Towne doe acquitt them." 

The following year we find another reference to this 
old road, and, it would seem, to the second mill, within 
well authenticated history, built in Dedham as a grist- 
mill: 

"Graunted to Daniel Ponde and Ezra Morse a Rocke Stun intendid 
for a Mille Stun, and suposed capibel thereof, lyeing aboute 6 Rodd 
easte frum Stopp River, and neere ye Parth that leade to Wolomunuppag, 
for ye Ufe off ye Mille now inteendid to be builte." 

This mill was thought necessary on account of alleged 
dissatisfaction with Nathaniel Whiting, owner of the old 
mill below the proposed new site. The stream on which 

[24] 



these mills stood was an artificial one dug by the early 
settlers in accordance with the following vote: 

"3 of II mo 1652. Libertie is graunted to cutt a Creeke or Ditche 
thro eny Comon Lande of ye Towne which shall bee occafioned bye ye 
Cuttinge ye same thro Broad Meedowe from Rivere to Rivere." 

This creek is called the very next year Mother Brook, 
and is so known to this day. It united the Charles River 
with the Neponset below. As early as 1640, however, 
mention is made of a mill brook and pond as well as 
Vine Brook. 

As early as 1653 our well-known stream, Stop River, is 
referred to in this record, for to its meadows, as well as 
to those in the south part of the town, Dedham early 
drove its cattle to pasture. 

"Graunted unto Willm Averey & his Heyers forever, one Pcell of 
Meedowe conteyning aboute 4 or 5 Akers, abuttinge upon and adjoyne- 
ing Stopp Rivere neere Meadfield & in Pt upon Nath Coalburns 
Meedowe & upon Meedfield Lyne & ye Waste Upplande." 

Three years later it has another mention thus: 

"Graunted to ye Widdowe Morse of Meatfild to take in sume smale 
Parcell of Uppe Land within ye Fense for ye strayninge of ye Lynes to 
Fense in ye Medowe hot bye Joseph Morse off Sergt Averey neere Stope 
Rivere." 

The Neponset River is mentioned as early as 1639, 
three years after the grant for the settlement of Dedham, 
where it is called Naponcet and represented as having a 
mill belonging to "Ye Worshful Mr Israeli Stoughton of 
Dorchester," whose farm covered a portion of the easterly 
part of Dedham. 

[25] 



Again in 1649 is found another mention, with the same 
spelhng, and applying to the river in the centre of what 
is now Walpole. As late as 1794, this river was repre- 
sented as dividing just above the Brook (Spice or Spring 
Brook) into a north and south fork, what is now called 
Mill Brook being- the former. In fact it seems that 
both of these streams were once or twice miscalled 
"brookes." Stop River on Walpole Plain, however, 
from the very earliest has preserved its name and identity. 

The origin of its name is unknown. It may have been 
so called because it, as the division line between the 
Wampanoag and Massachusetts Indians, formed a stop 
or fixed boundary. 

But there were in those early days other pests besides 
the Indian. Medfield had been set off into a separate 
town in 1651, Wrentham in 1661. As early as 1649 
appears the following reference to the former: 

"Eleazer Lusher is deputied on Behaf of ye Towne of Deadham to 
alist in Layinge out ye Farme graunted to Mr Edward Aleyne, deceald, 
well is toe bee layd oute att Bogastowe now called Meadfild," 

and to the latter, 

"Deadham 21,8 mo, 1661. Ye Towne beinge caled toegeather bye 
ye Select Men voated as foloweth: Firlt yt ye Bownds of ye Plantacion 
intended att ye Plas caled Woollomonpuck shall bee East Worde uppon 
ye Rivier caled Stoope Riviur beginyng att Meadfild Bowndes and soe 
all alonge as yt Rivier upp Streeme ly till itt bee aboute Halfe a Mille 
above ye Falles in yt Rivier wheare aboute ye Parthe to ye sd Plas ly 
and from thence Southe ward to Dorchester Lyne." 

In 1670 our first settler James Fales was chosen sur- 

[lb] 



veyor of the latter and called "Surveyer for ye Fam- 
milyes att ye Sawe Mille and Wollomonuppoage." 

All the country around was infested with wildcats, 
rattlesnakes, foxes, bears, and wolves. Even King Philip, 
as though the settlers had not quite enough to bear, had 
begun to vex the settlers, so we find: 

"Att a Generall Towne Meeteing 2, ii, 1670 ye fyrft Cas ppounded 
refpectynge ye Cleereing ye Queston of Tytel purchafd off Sagamore 
Phillip and ye payemt for ye same is lefft to ye Care and Discreton of 
ye Seleect Men this Daye to bee chusen to doe therein as thay shalle 
aprhend ye Cas may requir." 

Wolf pits and deer hedges were so well known as to not 
infrequently serve as localities and boundaries, and when 
an exceedingly annoying tax or assessment came to be 
demanded from the settler, he seized his old matchlock, 
and wore away his feelings stalking the plentiful game, 
from which diversion he generally returned with the 
wherewithal to meet the constable. For Dedham as 
early as 1639 passed the following vote: 

"Ordered yt whoesoever off our Towne shall kille a Woolfe wth in 
or neere our Towne shall have payd unto him Tenn Shilling toe bee 
Raysd uppon ye Hede off evry Beeste yt is kepte wthin our sayd Towne." 

This became in 1647 ten shillings from the town and 
ten from the "Countrie," twenty shillings a head, and 
hunting for wolves immediately became as irresistible as 
keeping public house or seizing a public office. Accord- 
ingly, we find in 1651 : 

"Antho. Fisher, Jr. Job. Fayerbanks, Rich Ellice Jonath. Fayer- 
banks ar bye ye Towne deputeid to Attende uppon ye Worke offTakeing 

[27] 



Wolfes & ar apoynted to receave Tenn Shilling for cache Wolfe thay 
shall kill above wt ye Courte order doe apoynt & pvided yt ye sayd 
Wolfes may bee mayd apeare to bee killd within 3 Myles off ye Metinge 
Hous off Dorchester, Roxberrie, Deadham or Brantree." 

From a pecuniary point of view it would seem that the 
beast hunters held advantage over the office ones. This 
beastly monopoly, however, was soon broken, and we 
find in 1653: 

"A Bill given to Isaac Bullward off 20s for killyng one Wolve to bee 
payd bye ye Constple. Also A Bille given toe Thos Herringe off 6s 
8d for his Pt in ye Killynge off a Woolfe." 

In 1666, Thomas Speene, one of our Indian residents, 
thus earned a most welcome ten shillings. This was the 
Indian who, with Waban and John Speene, both redmen, 
and closely connected with the Rev. John Eliot's Chris- 
tian Indian settlement, was in 1661 sued by the town 
in the long controversy over certam lands claimed by 
both parties. 

Among the mighty hunters of those early days were 
Samuel Hunting, 1670, "the Indean" Cock Robin, who 
turned in his first wolf in 1674; Eleazer Metcalf and 
Nathaniel Richards, 1675; Seth Smith, who achieved the 
same honor in 1676; John Dean; Benj. Miles, three wolves 
in 1 681; Amos Fisher, two shillings three pence for kill- 
ing nine hawks the same year; Barakiah Lewis, two 
wolves in 1697; Daniel Draper, two wolves same year; 
John Draper, one wolf same year; and above all, one 
Joseph Colburn who thus filled not only his purse with 
coin, but his chest with convenient corn and peas. 

[28] 



Meantime there were here, also, enforced hunters, 
hunters of the redskin. In 1675 we find this record: 

"A Moshun beinge maid toe ye Towne whither thay woud bare 
ye Charge of ye Heelyng of John Haws Leage that was hurted in pro- 
vydinge Timbur for Fortyfycaton referinge toe securynge ye Towne 
from ye Endians and this was voated in ye Afarmitiv." 

As early as 1673 we find the following: 

"Upon Sighte of Warante from Athoritie whereas in ye Comitie 
of ye Mihtiae air required toe putt ye Souljers in a Postur of Ware, and 
fyndinge ye Towne defectiv off a stock off Poulder, Bulits and Mach, 
it is therfor agrede to male a Rat for ye leving soe much Paye as will 
procure soe mutch amonifhun as ye Lawe requir. En Dan Fisher 
Timy Dwite and Tho Fullar ar desird to pcur thiss Amonifhun afore 
sayd." 

The next year, this same Thomas Fuller assumes 
further responsibility, by no means light, as follows: 

"1674. Whearas Ser. Thos Fullar was fomerlie deputed to tak 
Caer off ye Townes Amonifhun it is further agrede with hym that hee 
shall pvide a convainiant Plas in ye Metinge Hous att ye Townes Chardg 
to secur ye aforsayd Amonifhun and to dispofe off it att his Difcresfhun; 
pvided allwaies their bee no Vacantcie off ye Townes Amonifhun, for 
whitch Care and Truste we doe ingadg to alow him equall sattiffacfhun." 

The war cloud came swiftly on, some of the families 
here slain, and in the very first of 1676 the settlers record: 

"Ye Towne bye Voate declar yt noe Persone shall entertayne eny 
Indine in toe eny Famalie whatsoe ever except Ephrame Endine and 
yt noe Endine shall reside with in ye Towne Bowndes with oute Apro- 
bashun from ye Select Men toe bee Chofen." 

[29] 



The Indian called Ephraim had for years owned land, 
paid taxes, and lived peaceably among them, a most 
useful citizen, but many other redskins, equally peace- 
able and innocent, were forced to feel the rod. 

Two barrels of powder were bought for ten pounds, 
three hundredweight of lead for bullets for four pounds, 
and matches for the match-lock guns, then the only tire- 
arm in use, twelve shillings six pence. The " greate 
Gunn" was brought out and remounted and a war tax 
levied on all within the town. So we find: 

"In Anier to ye voate of ye Towne wherebye thay have declard 
thar Onwillingenefs to have eny Indine entertaynd in ye Towne, ye 
Select Men doe give Peter Woodard Juner Warninge yt ye firft Opor- 
tunetie, hee doe dispoose off or putt thos Indines that novve hv with 
hym oute off this I'owne." 

This was followed by similar orders to all having Indian 
house or farm help, then so common, but after this war, 
superseded by negro slaves of which no less than four 
were held in Walpole territory alone. 

The Indian was not the only unwelcome resident in 
early times, though for somewhat of a less reason new 
arrivals were not as now received with open arms. 

"In 1679 Mr Harise and Mr Steevens makinge a Moshun toe Sojorne 
at Eafter Fishers Hous for Sum Tyme ye Select Men takinge intoe 
Confiderashun and findinge itt not agreeinge with ve Lawe, nor of soe 
goode Repourte being no Hed of ye Famylie, did not se cauf to Alow 
them." 

In 1672 we find the following disposition of the young 
men : 

[30] 



"7 yt ye younge Men bee caled that Cear might bee taken for thair 
Setelmnt accordyng toe Lawe, Elic Wood is allowed to Sojourne with 
John Richards, Nat Heaton with Vid Chickring, and John Deen with 
John Gaye; Jona Metcalfe with his Father Smith; Robt. Alin with 
Micall Metcalfe and John Fullar Juner with his Farther." 

In 1679 we find the following: 

"Eenformashun was givn of a Woman whos nam is Smith, an on- 
desyrabel Pson that nowe liveth at Meadfild and doth intende to builde 
uppon sum off our Towne Lande, ye Select Men ar del ird and empowrd 
to manage an Odder or doe eny Leagall Acte to pervnt Her or any Pson 
Coming in such maner without our Libertie from ye Towne." 

By this Walpole lost, at least, one early comer which, 
perhaps, if Dedham had foreseen the future, she would 
have gladly seen settle down here. So also the widow 
Pettee, with a young and by no wise small family, w^as 
promptly ordered out oi town. While some lonely 
women, like the widows Ellis and Dunkly, who for £3 a 
year rang the bell on Sundays, kept the meetmg-house 
clean and looked out for the safety of its doors and window- 
glass, fared pretty well, the majority, on account of poverty 
alone, had to set their faces squarely away from old 
Dedham. 

One of these widows, good soul, not disturbed, however, 
always rises before our admiring contemplation for her 
angehc conduct as described in the following record: 

"The town fathers by vote were obliged to assign seats to all in the 
meeting house. Samuel Gay was dissatisfied with his, but they re- 
sponded that they saw no cause to change. Mr. Dewing declared his 
intense displeasure and did not tarry for an agreeable adjustment. 

[31] 



Ralph Freeman would not take his seat because his wife had none. 
The wife of John Aldus must have her seat up front in the middle row. 
Richard Everett privately interceeded for his much displeased consort, 
but Widow Morse, like the peacmaker that she was, kindly came for- 
ward and quietly offered to exchange seats with Mrs. Everett, or any- 
one else dissatisfied with their lot." 

After fully contemplating this little discordant church 
scene, one feels prompted to an instant call for old 
Joshua Kent, who some time before had been invested 
with just the powers and duties that the occasion de- 
manded, by the follow ng vote of the town: 

" Leift. Fifher is deputed to treate wth Jofhua Kent & Conclude 
wth him for ye Beateing ye Drume; he is defird to put ye Decons in 
Minde to put ye Worke yt Jams Allin now do into ye Handes of ye 
sd Jolhua yt he may Cearefuly attende ye Shuttinge ye Meteing 
houfe Doores & ye Kepeing oute ye Doggs & furder we apoynt ye 
sd Jofhua to bee grave maker for ye Occafons of ye Towne in 
Genrall and ye Keper of ye Pounde." 



[32] 



I 



CHAPTER III 

N 1674 we find the following reference to the owner 
of the sawmill here 



"Tho Clap mad a Moshun and defird toe keepe his Mayd Servent, — 
Wee anserd yt wee see noe Reeson toe alowe her butt that hee should 
remoove her out off ye Towne." 

Before the end of the year he prevailed on the town 
to allow him to keep her and other help on giving the 
following bond: 

"This Wrighting witneffeth yt I Thomas Clape of Deadham doe 

binde over mye Sawe Mille and alle my Rites and Priviledges there 

unto belonginge toe ye Select Men ofF Deadham; and thier succeffors 

for ever uppon Condishun yt nether Hen Earle nor Eliz Lenord shall 

bee eny Trubbel or Damedge bye them or ether of them untoe this 

Towne Witneffe mye Hande 10 28, 1674. ^ ^ „ 

^ 1 HOMAS Clap. 

The same year Dedham made the following grant to 
him here: 

"Upon a Moshun of Tho Clap desiringe to exchang a Tracte of 
Lande contayninge six Akers fomerly graunted to Liu. Fisher defeafed, 
as itt lyeth neere ye Sawe Mille Parth, on ye Easte Syde off ye Ridge, 
itt is Upplande and Swampe Meddowe; graunted untoe Tho Clape 
five Akers adjoyninge uppon one Aker off Lande of ye sayd Clapes or 
upon his Hom Lott to bee layd oute att ye Defcrefhun of Isaac Bul- 
ward and Jams Vales." 

[33] 



In 1663 we find the following reference to another of 
the first settlers here, Samuel Parker, who lived near the 
Royal Smith place on Major's Plain: 

"Samuel Parker moving for a Pcell off Swampie Lande betweene 
Spice Brooke & ye Lande hee hot off Joshua Fisher." 

The old cart path through the Common up to the hill 
on the south went through this settler's land, but was, at 
his request, afterwards changed. 

In 1664 we find the following reference to this and two 
other settlers here, showing the inconvenience of living 
too far from the centre of the town: 

"Wheras Samll Parker James Vales and Q_uinton Stockwell apear 
bye yeSurveyers toe be behinde in thair Pporfhun of HigheWayeWorke, 
and thay aledginge thay never had Notis off ye Dayes apointed for yt 
Worke it is ordered that thay shall yett pforme that Worke in ye High 
Waye neere ye Sawe Mille." 

Thus as early as 1663 what is now called the centre of 
Walpole had four settlers: Thomas Clap, James Fales, 
Samuel Parker, and Quinton Stockwell. Soon after they 
were joined by Joseph Kingsbury, as appears from the 
following: 

"10 29, 1679. James Vales Seno. Tho Clape Josep Kingsberrie 
and Jams Vales juner is toe finysh their Remander oft their Worke 
aboute yt was Q_uints Hous and ye otther defecktiv Plas adjoyning toe 
ye Sawe Mille." 

The value of their dwelling-houses in 1677 is thus 
given : 

"Jams Vales Senr £^, Jams Vales Juner £2, Tho Clape £2, Sam 
Parker £2." 

[34] 



In 1667, three of these settlers are referred to in the fol- 
lowing order, concerning the use of common lands: 

"Jams Vales Sam Parker, Tho Clape ar alowd this Yeare toe cutt 
ye sam Medowe they had graunted ye laft Yeare, and toe Jams Vales 
& Sam Parker Libertie toe cutt Ech off them 3 Lode in ye Est or Sou 
Est Pt off Toyles Ende Medowe." 

It would be pleasant to know how much these isolated 
settlers contributed in 1668 towards the following: 

"Tymo. Dwite is chofn and apoyntd to riceve ye Countrybufhn 
yt shall bee brot in from ye Inhabbitanc toward ye Charg off ye Frait 
off ye Shippe Lode off Marsts toe bee sente and prfented to His Majties 
acordyng toe ye Ordere off ye Generall Corte. A bil is ordyrd to bee 
givn toe Mr Man ye Skoole Marfter toe receave Tenn Pnds off ye Cun- 
stapel in FuUe off his Sallerie for ye last Yere." 

In 1669 appears a new comer here: 

"Left Fisher give Notis to ye Selecte Men yt Caleb Church is placed 
as tenant att ye Sawe Mille." 

The same year Dedham made this additional grant: 

"Graunted toe Samll Parker 8 or 10 Akrs off Lande lyeing neere ye 
Sawe Mille on ye North Syde off ye Waye leedinge to ye Pyn Swampe 
and ajoyneing ye Weste Syd off ye Brooke caled Spice brooke, toe Bee 
layed oute bye ye Defcreffhun and Estimashun of Nath Coalburn and 
Tymo Dwite." 

This pine swamp lay just east of the brook now called 
Spring Brook, and became later the site of the sawmill 
of Deacon Fales. 

In 1672 we find reference to two additions to the little 
colony here, Caleb Church and the following: 

[35] 



"This Daye Isak Bulward psent a Moshun for Libertie toe Leat liis 
Hous & Lande that was somtyme Quintin Stokewels toe a yonge mann." 

"Graunted unto Caleb Church aboute halfe an aker ofF upplande 
his Hous standing uppon itt." 

The preceding year the town had ordered Caleb 
Church to give the following bond* 

" Knoe alle Men bye thees Prefnts yt I Caleb Church of Deadham 
liveinge neere ye Sawe Mille doe ingag myself my Heyers and Eftat toe 
ye Select Men off Deadham and thayer Succeffers in ye Behalfe off ye 
Towne to safe ye sayd Towne off Deadham tree from alle Charge and 
Trubbel from or bye Fraunces Joanes nowe Refidnt with mee, or for 
wante thereoff to paie too ye sayd Select Men or thayer Succeffers for 
ye Ufe off ye sayd Towne ye fule and Juste som off Thirtie Powndes 
in god Countrey paiemt, toe bee well and trulye mad and dun I binde 
mifelf my Heyers, Exectrs and Admnftratrs firmelie by thefe Prsnts — 
Wittnes mye Hande heere untoe subfcribd lo, ig 1671. 

Caleb Church." 

In 1692, this part of Dedham gained another perma- 
nent addition in William Robins, as the name was first 
spelled, who settled near the church land of the town 
on both sides of the Neponset River, a close neighbor of 
Peter Fales, Sr. Two years later came Joseph Harts- 
horn and settled down just below the falls of the river 
but near both Fales and Robins on one side of the old 
Sawmill road, and Thomas, Eleazer, and Thomas Clapp 
on the other, and at the first town meeting after the 
arrival of Hartshorn the following reference is made: 

" Jofep HartfHorne and Willm Roobins doe both move toe ye Prpriatrs 
toe graunte toe them Timbur off thayr comon Lande toe fenc & bild 
uppon thayr Lande wch thay bot in ye Towne neereunto ye Sawe Mille. 
Ye Prpreters graunted thayer Ption toe them." 

[36] 



A few months later the town passed the following 
measure, of so little benefit to settlers way up here: 

"It being then pposed to ye Towne whither ye one halfe Pte off ye 
Sallary for ye Mayntaynanc off ye Schole shall bee levyed uppon ye 
Pairents or Marster off Suche Mai Childrn af live within three Mile off 
ye Meteyng Hous, or theraboutes, off ye adg off Seaven Yeres & under 
Twelv Yeeres olid for this prsent Affefmnt. This was voated in ye 
Affermatif. It beinge further prpofd to ye Towne whithar ye othere 
Half Pte off ye above menshund Sallery shall bee levyd uppon Esteats 
onily and noe Pte off itt upon Heds,this allsoe was voated in ye afyrma- 
tiv." 

During this same year appears a reference to one who 
for years hired and pastured Dorchester's 300 acre old 
School Farm, then forming a portion of East Walpole 
territory, and who kept a public house on the old Post 
road, at which the first stage stopped after crossing King's 
bridge at the Neponset just below. 

"Upon ye Requeste off Henrey White, ye Towne have graunted 
him Libertie toe ereck & Sett up a Smale Hous neere ye Meteinge 
Hous for his Convenance upon ye Sabath. And have leftt itt toe ye 
Select Men toe apoynt ye Plas toe Sett upp ye sayd Hous in." 

In 1698 William Robbins petitioned for a bound be- 
tween him and the church land: 

"Upon ye Moshun off William Robins yt ye Lyne betwene ye Church 
Lott and him att ye Sawe Mille mite bee rune, John Deene is deputed 
thereunto with Wm. Avery." 

And again the same year, as follows: 

"Willm Robins off ye Sawe Mille did this Daye move toe ye Ppieter? 
toe send Men toe runn ye Lyne betwene his Lott purcheffd off Thos. 



Clap and ye Comon Lande ye Prprieters bye voate declar thay leve ye 
Car off yt Concerne with ye Select Men." 

In 1705, at the March meeting, Dedham took action 
about her Common and waste land up here, which in- 
cluded a large part of what is now the centre of Walpole 
and, for years, called the Sawmill Dividends. 

"Itt was putt toe ye Voate off ye Prprieters whither thay wille Laye 
oute in Devident all thair undevided Landes lyeinge on ye Southerlie 
Syde off Jofeph Heartfhornes on bothe Sydes off Naponset Rivere, this 
was answeard in ye afermatif. This Daye abov sayd ye Pprieters have- 
ing Concluded toe Laye oute in Devident alle thayr Comon or undevideed 
Lande lyinge on ye Southerlie Syde off Jofep Hartfhornes on bothe 
Sydes off Naponsett Riviere, itt was further putt toe ye Voate off ye 
Ppropriaters and ye Commity whither ye Sirvayer and ye Commity 
apoyntid and Chofen toe Laye oute sd Divident shalle take a Circum- 
franc thareoff and difcrib itt and ye Pprieters drawe thair Lottes for 
itt ethyr bye fiftie Akers or one hundred Akers in a Lott which of them 
thay shall fynd moft equall and convenyant, this was ansurd in ye 
Afermatif." 

This was followed by what ever after were called the 
Sawmill dividends, above referred to, and the following 
question which soon became the chief cause of our 
separation from the mother town: 

"On ye 4th daye of March 1706 aforsayd severall off ye Inhabertanc 
off this Towne which atende Publik Worfhipe in othyr Townes and 
haf payd in thayr Pproposhuns toe ye Sallery in Pte or in Wholl at suche 
Plases and hav neglektid toe atend ye Towne Ordere tharin bye bringeing 
in a Certiferkat tharoff in seefon, did this Daye aply themfelvs toe ye 
Towne and make Requeste that thay mite bee relefed off soe mutch off 
thayr Pprofhun toe sayd Sallery as thay did presente a Cirtiffikat that 
thay hav payd att othere Plases for ye Year 1704." 

[38] 



"Ye Towne did thareuppon graunte thair Requeaste and Jofep Harts- 
horne in perticuler was relesed allthoug hee hade nott payd his whol 
Pprofhun, upon Confiderashun that hee had been ovrchargd in an 
Affefmente, this abov writtn refere to ye yere 1704 onely." 

In 1679, while the Rev. WiUiam Adams was pastor, the 
town in its March meeting ordered: 

"That thos Men belongeing toe ye Sawe Mille, with Isak Chinery, 
are toe paye toe ye Revernd Mr John Willfon two third Ptes off thair 
Rats and toe bringe his Recaite which shall bee thayr Difcharg for soe 
mutch in or as Mony and ye other third Pte toe Mr Will Adams Pastour." 

Mr. Wilson was the minister at Medfield. 
While they were wrestling with the church attendance 
question, another of far greater importance arose: 

"In II, 30 1683. This Daye after Lectur itt was putt toe Voate off 
ye Fremen and Inhabitanc whither thay did desyre that Govt and 
Companie woulde defende thar Charter and Privilidgs soe farr as thay 
can, this was (soe farr as coulde bee desarnd) unniversially voated in 
ye Afermitif. Itt beinge putt toe tham iff thay ar willinge wee shoud 
make a full Submilfhun and eintyr Refignashun toe his Majestyes 
Pleshur as in his Deklarashun is intimated, itt was all voated in ye nege- 
tiv." 

This is preceded by an item not quite so clear or agree- 
able to consider: 

"A Bil is given toe Sergt Wm Averey toe receve 5s off ye Constapel^ 



in ful Sattifaxun for Emplay stringe uppon ye Corps off jotirtat Revend 
Paftur, this is toe bee payd out off ye Affefmt for Monie toe difra ye 
Chargs off Our Rafters Funerall." 



Alas, what was it the sergeant did! Was it something 
so special that its proper execution demanded a warrior 

[39] 



bold? It must have covered the gallant "Trayning 
Bande" with everlasting glory. Preceding such strong 
resolutions to be a free people it may have been intended 
to warn all enemies, and especially the king, of the terrible 
fate surely awaiting them. 

In 1678 appears a reference to another early settler 
in what was once Walpole but afterward South Dedham 
territory : 

"Ezra Mors make a Moshun toe hav Libertie to flud a smalle Pcell 
off Lande refereinge toe a Sawe Mille uppon ye Broke cald Ed Hawses 
in ye Waye ledinge to Foule Medowe." 

This Dedham settler had several years before gained 
the franchise for a grist-mill above that of Nathaniel 
Whiting on Mother or Mill Brook, but was beset by so 
many trials from both this old business rival and fellow- 
townsmen he yielded to the demands of the town to 
lower his pond, and allowed his dam to be taken down 
and moved south towards our sawmill, across what is 
often called Ellis Pond and brook, which, at that early 
period, had been called after Dedham's first mason and 
painter, Ed. Hawes, Hawes's Brook. 

Either he or his son Ezra, jr., settled on what is now 
Mylod Street; this street, having been obtained by him, 
and for years called after him, Lieut. Morse's Road. 

The northern boundary of Walpole for many years 
was this brook, and this man's family, one of the more 
prominent in town, furnished one of our first selectmen 
and our second town clerk, while his dwelling became 
one of our first schoolhouses. Dedham granted him, in 

[40] 



consideration of his giving up his Mill-brook rights, the 
following: * 

"March 1 8, 1670 Upon a Moshun mad by Ezra Mors ye Pprieters 
Chofe and deputed Samll Gaye Jonn MetcafF & John Deane a Comity 
toe laye oute toe Ezra Mors yt fortie Akers off Lande graunted toe him 
for his Incuredgemente toe lett fale his corne Miile for ye leting downe 
off ye Watter for ye Benifit off our Medows & ye othere Milles. Feb. 
2, 1698 Ezra Mors makeinge Demaunds off Sattiffacshun for ye Ufe 
off his Hous ye haste Yere toe Keepe ye skule in ye Select Men agreed 
with him yt hee should receeve off ye Towne fiveteen Shillinge in ful 
Sattiffaxion upon yt Accounte." 

The school requirements of that period were: 

"That thofe Inhabitanc yt dwel mor then twoe Mils and A Haff 
from ye Schule shall bee frede from al Charge off Rats uppon their 
Childrenes Heds for ye Schole until thay shall receve Benifit therbye and 
then shall bee rated and paye as thofe within A Mil and a Q_uarter 
allwayes pvided yt such Childrin bee taken Car off so as thay bee Sufichunt 
toe rede and wrighte." 

The following arrangement was made for the proposed 
division of the Sawmill lands, mentioned above as in- 
cluding the greater part of what was afterward the 
centre of Walpole: 

"This 17th of May 1708, afore faid the propriators being met upon 
due Notis given & upon trial, it did appear that the Majourity of Pro- 
priators were prefent to act. The faid propriators of this Town of Ded- 
ham taking into their Confideration how to finifh the Laying out of 
that Devident of Land agreed upon to be Layed out on the Southerly 
fide of Jofeph Hartfhorns, Doe agree & by their Votes doe declare their 
mind is Notwithftandin all former Vote in that Cafe that every perticular 
Propriator shall have Liberty to draw a Lot of his perticuler proprotion 
in faid Devidents. It was allso put to the Vote of the propriators whither 

[41] 



fo many of the propriators fhall agtee to draw their lots together in any 
lot may have the Liberty, and this was Anfwered in the Afermitive. 

"It likwis alfo was put to the Vote of the propriators whither they 
will have four Acres to one cow common right layd out in fayd Devident 
This was likewis anfwered in the Affermitive. It was further Voted 
that everyone of the propriators as fhall fee Caufe to Draw their Lots 
at prefent in faid Devident Doe bring in their Names to the Town clerk 
with the Number of their Common rights on Munday the twenty-fourth 
of this Inftant May by three of the Clock in the after noon and then 
to make so many lots as there Doth appear rights of the propriators to 
draw — and faid lots being Drawn fhall be layd out fucceffively accord- 
ing to Number of Each lot, the firit lot beginning next to Mr. Pages 
farme according as the lervayers and Commity which have taken the 
fircumferanse of faid Devident have defcribed it and given it in in Writ- 
ting this 17th of May aforefaid. This likwis was anfwered in the 
Afermitive. The faid difcription as it was given in Writting by the 
Commity & firvayed 17 of May atorefaid is as followeth. 

"We thinck it is the Conveninteft to begin the firft lot where Mr 
Pages farme doth end, to head on Dorchefter Line upon the Square, 
and to Continue till Dorchifter line and Wrentham line doth meet, and 
on Naponcet River Propriaty and Seder Swamp. And the next Devi- 
fion to begin at the Corner of the Great Seder Swamp near the great 
fhaving place & to head upon faid Swamp and Naponcet River except 
where propirators cuts them off, and fo to end next to William Robinses. 
The next to begin where the Devident called Medfield Devident abuts 
on Medfield line and to abutt upon faid Devident and Stop River except 
when propriators doth cut them ofe, and fo to Continue as one Devident 
Begining where the Wrentham line doth meet with Claps Meadow; 
and fo abutting upon faid line Square and the Seder Swamp and Med- 
field Devident fo far as land may be prophitable to be layed out to the 
propriators. 

"May 24 the propriators being met to draw their lots and they not 
being finifhed before night did appoynt to meet againe the next training 
day. 

"June 14. The propirators being met after training fuch as did 

[42] 



appear which had not drawn their lots drue them. It was this day put 
to the vote of the proprieters whither they will Impower John Deane, 
their fervayer in laying out these Lots in this Devident of land next 
above mentioned. This was anfwered in the Afirmative. It was like- 
wis put to the vote of the propriators whither they do Choos Capt. Daniell 
fifher one of a commity to Joyne with the faid furvayers in laying out 
the lots in faid Devident this was anfwered in the Afirmative. 

"It was alfo put to the vote of the propriators wither they doe choos 
Capt Samuel! Guild one of faid Commity. This was anfwered in the 
Afirmitive. Itt was put to the propriators whither the propriators of 
the Farme called pages farme fhall have notis given them to run the 
line between said farme and the wast land of the propriators of the 
Town of Dedham. This was anfwered in the Afirmative. It was 
further put to the vote of the said propriators aforesaid whether they 
doe apoynt & Deput Capt Daniell Fifher & Capt Samuel Guild and 
John Deane their agents to act in the behalfe of said propriators of 
Dedham in runing (aid line. This was anfwered in the Afirmative. 

"Upon the motion made by Ebenezer fales to have his land in this 
Devident layed out Joyning to his land neer home informed the three 
men soe above named to lay out said land to Ebenezer fales. On the 
mofion made by Amos fifher & Joseph Hartshorn to have their land 
in faid Devident Joyning to their own land. This was answered in the 
Afirmative." 

William Robins was constable in 1708, perhaps our first 
representative in that important office. Then follows a 
reference to one of the old roads: 

"In April 1708 Affembled Nathaniel Gay, John Smith, Timothy 
Whitting & William Avery. 

"Allfoe in anfwer to a motion made by Leit Jofeph Colburn and 
others of their neighbors to have a way layed out from the road leading 
to Medfield neer their houfes to the Country Road neer the houfe of 
Leit Barakiah Lewifes; said Selectmen doe defir and Appoynt said 
Commity (Capt Samuel Guild, Joseph Fairbanks and Samuel Whiting) 

[43] 



to take a view of the Neceffity and Convenience thereof & the proposed 
said way that it may be obtained with as httel daniag to any in their 
propriaty as may be and make reporte thereof to the Towne or Select- 
men their first oportunity." 

Following is an item of the payment of "19 shillings 
to Leiut Barakiah Lewis, for work on the cart Bridge," 
and the following: 

"Oct, 14, 1 712. Affembled Capt Samue'.l Guild, Serg John Eilice 
& Joieph Wright. This day the Selectmen have given order for the 
constables to warn such persons as have not drawn their lots in the 
Devident ot land on the southerly side of fofeph Hartshorns to appear 
at the Meting houfe on the twentyth day of Inftant October at four of 
the clock in the afternoon after Trayning To give in the number of their 
Commons and to draw their lots in faid devident. 

"Oct the 20, 1 712 this day the Selectmen being met at the Meting 
houle after Trayning. Severall perfons Appear to draw their lots in 
that Devident of land on the Southerly side of jofeph Hartshorns, 
Namely, Capt Daniel Fifher to draw upon the Rights which he had 
purchafed of Left James Fifher and Andrew Dewing. Alfo Sergt 
Benjamin Onion to draw upon the Rights he had bought up which were 
Edward Cooks and Nathaniel Bullards. Also Ebenezer Fales to draw 
upon the Rights he had of Daniel Wight and Jofeph Dammon and 
Eleazer Clape, thefe did on faid day give in the Numbers of their Com- 
mons and drew their Lots in said Devident." 

In 1 713 the term moderator first appears. In 1714 
Joshua Clap was chosen constable, but petitioned to be 
allowed a substitute, and Joseph Hartshorn surveyor: 

"Feb the 7th, 1714 Affembled Capt Samuel Guild Sergt Timothy 
Whiting, Jofeph EUice, Michael Metcalf & Jofeph Wight at the houfe 
of Jofhua Fifher and Severall perfons there apeerd to draw their lots 
in the Devident of land called the Sawmill devident, as Lieft |ohn Baker 

[44] 



to draw for part of the Rights that were Mr Daniel Allins & John Deane 
Sen. to draw for part ot the Rights that were Lieft John Bakers, and 
John Richards to draw for the Rights which were John Fullers, Sen., 
thefe perfons this 7th Daye of Febr. did give in the number of their 
Commons and draw their Lots in sd Devident." 

Ebenezer Fales was chosen constable in 17 14-15, thus 
indicating increasing influence of this part of Dedham. 

In June, 1715, we find the following reference to the 
Plain road: 

"Upon the defire of several perfons to have a highway laid out by 
the houfe of Thomas claps to Stop river, the Selectmen have deputed 
Sergt John Ellice, William Bullard and John Metcalf a Committee to 
view and lay out sd way where it may be most convenent for the Towns 
ufe, and leaft damage to any person two rods wide." 

Under June 5, 17 15, appears this reference to the 
second keeper of " Stronge Watters " in town: 

"This day alfo the Selectmen have given their approbation that John 
Richards may receive a Litence to keep an Houfe of publick entertain- 
ment in Dedham." 

On the determination of the town of Dedham to draw 
lots for the large tract of land lying between Paige's 
Farm on the east, land of Joseph Hartshorn and the 
Neponset River on the north, and the Dorchester, Wren- 
tham and Dedham lines, new life was infused into this 
part of the town. 

In 1685 the last legal Indian claim had been extin- 
guished by the purchase of the triangular tract of two 
hundred acres, at the junction of the Neponset River and 
the easterly tow^n line, by Nathaniel Paige, of Boston. At 

[45] 



that period all the Walpole territory on the east and south 
of the Neponset, south from Lewis Lane in East Walpole 
to South Walpole, lay common, of no use to any one, and 
was known as waste land. This, after a more or less 
careful survey, according to the above vote in general 
town meeting, was declared open to all freemen of 
Dedham. 

These lots, or dividends as they were then termed, on 
account of being divisions out of land in which all had 
an equal right, for the most part were long and narrow, 
of varied length, and ran pretty much northwest by south- 
east from river, or in a few cases settled farms, to the 
different town lines. 

The First Sawmill Dividend was small and irregular and 
at what was, some seventy-five years later, the Stanley- 
Maxey and afterwards the Daniel Ellis mill property, 
since purchased by the Plimpton family, in whose hands 
it remains to-day. 

The Second Sawmill Dividend fell by lot to Thomas 
Paine and comprised twelve acres. This now forms a 
part of the easterly boundary of the present Lewis Farm, 
and the westerly boundary of the old Isaac Lewis Farm 
and Lane. 

Fhe Third Dividend contained twenty-eight acres and 
fell in 1 712 to Thomas Metcalf. Soon after Walpole 
was set off from Dedham, a house and barn was erected 
on this lot by either Timothy Foster or Joseph Coney, 
subsequent owners. This was purchased just after the 
close of the French and Indian war by one of that war's 
veterans, John Lewis, whose father, Isaac Lewis, had 

[46] 




X 

z ^ 

> ^ 

J < 



o 

s 



■« fd 






i. _ r 



5: D 









.■» ^'■- '^ 



some twenty-five years before purchased over sixty acres 
adjoining on the south. The Fourth Dividend of more 
than sixty acres, and the first lot to extend across from 
river to Dorchester fine, fell in 1715 to Sergt. Eleazer 
Kingsbury; to be more explicit, to his heir Jeremiah 
Dexter, a blomor, who soon sold to Isaac Lewis, who, at 
the time Walpole became a town, owned what was after- 
wards known as the John Fairbanks place, in what is 
now East Walpole, his widow afterwards marrying the 
latter. Of this early settler, the Fairbanks family history 
contains a brief but glowing tribute. The deed by which 
he received this Fourth Dividend contains as witnesses 
the names of the first permanent minister of our town 
and of his first wife, Phillips and Anne Payson. 

The Fifth Dividend was taken in 17 19 by several in- 
habitants, Comfort Starr, 2of acres; Ephraim Wilson, 
jr., 16 acres; Jabez and William Pond, 12 acres, 16 rods; 
Nath Gay, 4 acres; Lusher Gay, 12 acres. 

The Sixth Dividend, Samuel Gay Sr., 16 acres; John 
and Timothy Gay, 16 acres each. 

The Seventh Dividend, 64 acres, Joseph and Joseph 
Wight, jr.; Capt. Daniel Fisher, Jeremiah and Daniel 
Fisher, Jr., 52 acres. 

The Eighth Dividend in 1 721, to Ensign Robert Avery, 
28 acres; Capt. John Baker, 44 acres; Samuel Gay. 

The Ninth Dividend, Capt. Samuel Guild, 58 acres. 

The Tenth Dividend, heirs of William Avery, 32 acres; 
heirs of Jonathan Avery, 28 acres. 

The Eleventh Dividend, Samuel Bullard, Ezra Morse, 
Peter and Samuel Thorp. 

[47] 



The Twelfth Dividend, Dea. Jonathan Metcalf and 
James Fales. 

Thus they continued, with a right of way through re- 
served from the first to the last, which from the first to 
the eleventh soon became the only way from what is 
now East Walpole to the Old Sawmill Road which, until 
eight years after this town was set off from the mother 
town, was merely a rough cart path fit only for ox-teams; 
the present East Street way through the Sand-hill over 
the railroad bridge having, many years after, been 
hurriedly built at night, to escape an injunction from 
the courts. From the Allen and Fales neighborhood, the 
reserved way wound around anywhere through what is 
now the land of Melzar W. Allen by the Diamond Pond, 
passing through Spice or Spring Brook up the hill, and 
then taking a short cut through Major's Plain up and 
over the hill to the old Sawmill and the Dorchester line. 

After the town could satisfy the conditions of their 
incorporation by settling a minister and providing for a 
meeting-house and school, they at once turned their 
tardy attention to the improvement of its roads. But 
it was not until 1727, three years after we became a town, 
that the first earnest effort was made. This was as 
follows: 

"May ye 24, 1727. Aflembled ye Selectmen and appoynted John 
Guilde Survayer to mend ye High Wayes on ye Northeasterly syde of 
ye Brook between Ebenezer Fales & Tho Claps with ye Hands on ye 
same syde of ye Brook excepting Robert Allen, and apoynted Ebenezer 
Robins to mend ye Highwaye on ye South westerly syde of ye Brook, 
with ye Hands on ye same till we come to Chamberlins Frame, and that 

[48] 



Robert Allen work under him, and apoynt Eleazer Partridge to mend 
ye Highways from there to Stop river." 

The "Brook" was Spice or Spring brook, and the 
"Frame" or farm near the Horace Guild place on what 
was called Easy Plain. 

In 1 71 5 for the first time appear the Walpole names 
of Timothy Morse, Ebenezer Turner, Samuel Kingsbury, 
John Boyden, all old Walpole Plain settlers, and Bernam 
Farrington, an old neighbor of Ezra Morse in the east 
part of the town. 

In 1 716 Peter Fales, Sr., who lived just north of Spice 
brook, was chosen surveyor. 

In September, 171 7, the following appears concerning 
a change in the main street in the Centre: 

"In Anfwer to a Motion made by several! of the Inhabitants of this 
Towne liveing near the old saw mill to have the way by the houfe ot 
Thomas Clap altered to the right-hand through the land of William 
Robbins Sen. where there is a bridg and a way in use already, and to 
go on till it meet with the old highway again, the town has chofen Joleph 
Hartshorn, Sen, John Everit and Daniel Draper a committie to lay 
out sd way." 

This change located Main Street where it now crosses 
Spring Brook. 

Unlike this part of old Dedham most of the well-known 
streets in Dedham Centre were already laid out. In 
addition to those already mentioned, several were built 
under the following vote: 

"July 17th 1700. Afsembled after lectur Capt. Daniell Fifher 
Leut. Samuel Guild, Sergt Josiah Fifher & Wm Avery. This day the 
Selectmen Chofe and Deputid Deacon Thomas Metcalfe and (Lieut) 

[49] 



Barakiah Lewis a commity to lay out neccessery High Ways from the 
Old Sawe Mille Road to the Fields at Naponfeet River So as may be 
moft Convenent & leaft prejudifhall for ye Town and perticuler Per- 
fones." 

This was seventeen years before this part of the town 
had a bridge at either of the river crossings near the 
Common. The old way was to make a fording place, 
which always served for a watering place as well. It is 
but a few years since such a one was removed in front 
of the store of Hartshorn Brothers. This was a part of 
the old powder house lot which extended to beyond the 
present freight house of the old New York and New Eng- 
land railroad, and had been from earliest times a most 
convenient and useful watering place. 

In early times, however, the settlers here were more 
anxious to save their strength than to procure unneces- 
sary watering places for their animals. They dreaded 
and tried to avoid going the long distance to church and 
town meeting. Petition after petition was sent in, and 
under May the i6, 1717, appears a vote granting the 
following privilege: 

"It was furder proposed if it be the mind of the Town that the Estat 
of the persons at the old saw mill, and other perfons estat liveing five 
miles from the Meting houfe, shall be afsefed to the Miniiters Salary, 
freeing them of their head money provided they pay their head money 
to the place where they constantly hear and bring under the hand of ye 
receiver that they have so done. Voted in the Afirmative." 

In January, 1717-18, it was voted that the school, 
which had always been in the centre of the town, should 
be "removed to several parts of this town." 

[50] 



The same year appears, as petitioned above, the 
straightening of the main street here: 

"Sept 17, 1717. Wee whofe names are hereunto subfcribed have- 
ing received an order to lay out a way between the houfe of Wiliam 
Robbin Sen, and the road to the ceder swamp, wee have laid out sd 
way as foUoweth viz wee have left the old road in peter woodwards lot, 
the way is laid out two rods wide through the land of peter falls, sen. 
and the land of William Robbins sen as wee have marked it out along 
by the weft side of the land of Ebenezer falls and so thro the land of 
Wiliam Robbins sen. two rods wide till it comes to wrentham Road. 
Jofeph Hartshorn, Daniel Draper John Everit." 

This is followed by the followmg graphic statement 
of public duty, 1718: 

"This 1 6th day of April the felectmen have agreed with Jarvis Pike 
to sweep the meeting houfe, and ring the bell on Sabbath days and on 
publick days, and at nine of the clock in the nighte and alfo to take 
care of the pound as pound keeper for the prefent. On May 13, 1718 
This day also it was put to the town whether they will give leave to 
Ezra Morfe and his famaly and Earned farington to doe their parte 
of their high way work for this year at the bridg over the river near 
or leading to his houfe." 

Under July 17, 17 18, there was a general town cleaning: 

"This day the Selectmen have given order for the constable to warn 
the severall perfons under named to depart out of this town for the 
Selectmen doe not allow them to continue in this town as Inhabitants. 
Richard Beten, Robert Worflie, Samuel Edmons, Isaac Bolfter, Thomas 
Shepifon, Samuel Road, Benj Force, William Owen, and the widow 
Trot, and her son." 

Under May 12, 17 19, they turned their attention to 
other pests not so easily handled: 

[5>] 



"This day it was also propofed to the town if it be their mind to 
allow sixpence for every rattlefnake that any perfon shall kill in this 
town, and bringing an inch and an half of the end of the tail with the 
rattle to the town treafurer. Anfwerd in ye Afirmative." 

In 1 72 1 appear the names of Eben Hartshorn, Moses 
Chamberlain, Jeremiah Clark, John Hall, Jeremiah Day, 
William and Nathaniel Pond, Samuel Shears, Eleazer 
Partridge, Joseph Smith, Samuel and Ebenezer Ware, 
and Benjamin Gay. At this time £t^ was all the town 
allowed its representative to General Court, and even at 
that price was often fined for not furnishing one. Under 
Nov. 4, 1 7 19, occurs the following: 

"This day of November Leiut Jofhua Fifhcr did Inform the Select- 
men that tlie executor of Mr John Eliot demand mony of this Town for 
sd Eliots keeping the school in this town long since. The Selectmen 
have agreed with sd Leiut Fifher to pay the sd debt and to giv a difcharg 
for the Town, for which the Selectmen have engaged to hmi three pound 
in mony in behalf ot the town." 

This bill, from some unknown reason, had been neg- 
lected for years. It may be that the long controversy 
over the lands clamied from the town for the " pore 
endines "made it rather hard for the voters to settle any 
claim bearing the name of this persistent "Apostle." 

After bearing their inconveniences in attendance on 
public worship as long as nature allowed, the settlers 
here petitioned for the privilege allowed some years be- 
fore to those of the north part of Dedham. The follow- 
ing was all the reception it received : 

"March the 7, 1721. This day the Inhabitants of this town living 
at or near the old saw mill did prefent their petition to the town desirein 

[52] 



the town to free them from payeing to the minifter in this town, in order 
to have preaching amongst themfelves. Voted in the Negative." 

This only aroused the petitioners to try to secure a 
more free and desirable condition still. 

"172 1. This 15 day of May severall of the Inhabitants, of the 
Southerly part of this Town did prfent a petition to the Town defireing 
the Town to set them off from the Northerly part of the Town in order 
to be a Townfhip among them. Non Concurred." 

One can imagine the feelings that accompanied those 
repulsed old farmers over the eight miles of their home- 
ward journey that May afternoon, and for many a long 
day afterward they abated not. Perhaps they looked 
upon the following misfortune of their too ready oppo- 
nents as a just retribution: 

"Feb 22, 1 72 1. This day the Selectmen have agreed & think it is 
beft for the Congregation to Meet at the houfe of Jeremiah Halle, the 
next Sabbath day becaufe many perfons are afraid to goe to the Meeting 
houfe by reafon of the Infecttion of the small pox." 

The records fail to state whether or not there was a 
general and emphatic non-concurrence to that. Self- 
interest, probably, guided them in this case as in the 
other. 

There is no record also of Dedham's action on the 
following: 

"March the 6th 1722. This day some of the Inhabitants weftwadly 
part of this towne did prefent a petition to the town defiringe ye town 
to set them off as a townfhip or precinct — this day also the Inhabitant 
of the Clavebordtrees and other Inhabitants of this town did prefent a 

[53] 



petition to the town defireing to have the meeting houfe removed, or 
to be set off as a townfhip or precinct." 

Again the settlers here valiantly returned to the charge. 

"May 14, 1722. This day the Inhabitants of the South part of this 
town, at or near the old saw mill, prefented a petition to the Town 
defireing to be sett off from this town as a townihip or a precinct. It 
was propofed to the town if it be their mind to free from paying to the 
miniftrey, here for the prefent such Inhabitants as live from the town 
beyond Hawes Brook, and shall agree and doe their part with such 
of the mentioned Inhabitants to obtain and maintain preaching among 
themselves. Voted in the Affirmative. It was furder propofed toe the 
town to choofe a comity to confider the petition of some of the Inhabi- 
tants for a townfhip or precinct at or near the old saw mill and to view 
where may be the most proper place for bounds if they Judg it neceffary 
& to make Report of the whole to the town at their next generall meet- 
ing. Voted in the affirmative." 

Following the above comes what must be a reference to 
Walpole Plain territory, though under a name long for- 
gotten : 

"Affembled May the 16, 1722. Capt Samuel Guild, Capt William 
Avery Lieut John Metcalfe, Lieut Ebenezer Woodward & [ofeph 
Wight. Upon the petition of Sundrey of the Inhabitants belonging to 
Eafey plain to have a highWay laid out from Thomas Clapes by their 
houfes and so to Stop river, and the Selectmen have deputed Capt 
Jeremiah Fisher, Lieut John Metcalfe and Lieut Ebenezer Woodward 
to view the sd Way and lay out the same if they think fit." 

This year first appear the names of John Guild, 
Robert Allen, Isaac Lewis, Samuel Petty, taxed for the 
minister's support. 

On the 14th of October, 1723, a call was given to the 

[54] 



Rev. Samuel Dexter to which Ebenezer Fales, one of 
our most prominent citizens, assented. Mr. Dexter 
rephed as follows: 

"Honoured & Beloved 

Seeing that the Soverign Jehovah in whofe hands are the hearts of 
all men hath fo far united ye afection of the Church and Congregation 
in this place that they have elected me who am les then ye Leaft of all 
faints to the Work of the Evangelicall mineftry among you & hath 
inclined your hearts freely to ofer of your temporall good things so far 
as you have done for my suport, I doe therefore hereby Declare (though 
with trembling doe I ingag in so great a Work for who is suficient for 
the sd things) that I freely embrace your Invitation becaufe I believe 
it to be my incumbant Duty, and I thanckfuly axcept your ofers & will 
Relying upon your Generofity, that as you have done so far, you will 
further be Spirited to doe as my Circumftances may Require. And 
now humbly hopeing in and Relying upon the Gracious head of influences 
who Liberaly beftoweth the Gifts and Graces of his holy Spirit to fur- 
nifh and qualifye me for the Work of the Mineftry. Let us strive to- 
gether in prayer to god that he would make me Skilfull faithfull and 
Suckfesfull that we may be Crowns of Joy to Each other in the day of 
Chrifts Apareing. That God would multiply Grace Mercy and peace 
to his people in this place, is the Earneft prayer of him who wold Rejoyce 
to Spend and be fpent in the Service of your Souls. 

.. AT ,, T^ , . „ "Samuel Dexter. 

" Maiden December 6, 1723. 

The next reference to any old Walpole settler is to the 
one generally called Dr. Jero in the early records of 
Walpole: 

"March 3, 1724. This day allfo it was propofed to the propriators 
wether they will grant Doctter Gerorld fix acres of land on the southerly 
side of the Rhoad Leading to Medfield neer the houf of Nathaniel 
BuUard, to be laid out bv the towns Comity. Voted in the Afirmative." 

[ 55 ] 



After the long struggle for independence by the settlers 
here, we find the following: 

"May 15, 1724. It was allso put to the town whether it be their 
mind to Grant the Petition of Severall of the Inhabitants at or neer the 
old sawe niille that they might have a townihip. Voted in ye affirmative. 
Thefe four last votes were decented again ft by Jofeph Ellis, Daniell 
Draper, John Bacon, John Dean, Ebenezer Dean, John Richards, 
Luther Gay, Ralph Day, Jeremey Day, John Gay." 

And old Jarvice Pike still kept on ringing the bell and 
sweeping out the dust, dogs, and bovs from that old dis- 
carded meeting-house as unconcernedly as before, while 
the old Dedham records make but a most brief refer- 
ence to her new-born child, and then only as "Wallpole 
this day set off." 

In 1726 Dedham warned our old worthy citizen of the 
east part of the town, Jeremiah Gould, and his entire 
family, who had lived there eleven months, out of the 
town. Josiah Plimpton as peremptorily followed. 



[56] 



CHAPTER IV 

THE Petition to the General Court of the seven men 
from this part of Dedham for a new township is 
not to be found. It is known that Joshua Clap and 
William Robbins were two of the number, and tradi- 
tion adds that Ebenezer Fales, Thomas Clap, Peter 
Fales, Sr., Joseph Hartshorn, and Ezra Morse were 
the remainder. However, early in 1724, having at last 
obtained the consent of the rest of Dedham, a petition 
was sent m. 

Thomas Palmer, a member of the Brattle Street Church 
in Boston, and member of the Government of the 
Province of Massachusetts Bay, from the first appeared 
most friendly towards the measure. The record at the 
State House runs thus: 

"Journal Massachusetts Bay House of Representatives. — 
"Martis Die 2, June 10 1724. A Petition of several of the Inhabi- 
tants of the Town of Dedham near the Old Saw Mill signed by Wm. 
Robbins, Joshua Clapp and 5 others in behalf of themselves and the 
rest of the Petitioners, showing that they have for a long Time labored 
under great inconvenience by reason of their great Distance from "heir 
Public Worship; that they preferred a Petition to the Town of Dedham 
to set them off for a Township, the said Town well considering their 
Case at their Meeting held the 15th of May last, were pleased, so far 
as concerned them, to grant their Petition that they might have a Town- 

[57] 



ship or distinct Precinct, that the bounds thereof should extend from 
Wrentham Bounds to the easterly side of John Everitt's House, and 
from Dorchester Line straight to Medfield Road fifty Rods Westerly 
from the Place where Hawes's Brook (so called) crosses Medfield Road, 
and so on Medfield Road to Medfield Line, Praying that this Court 
would please to Declare and Constitute them a Township by such Name 
as to them shall seem meet. And all the Lands comprehended within 
the said Bounds may be set off" in said Township, that they may enjoy 
all the Privileges and Immunities which other new Towns in the Province 
by Law have and enjoy. 

"Referred to a Committee for which Col. Chandler reported June 
12, 1724, in favor of a Committee of suitable persons to be appointed by 
the Court to repair to Dedham to view the Lands and report at the next 
session. Speaker Col. Spurr and Mayor Quincy to furnish the 
Committee." 

Committee were Col. Robert Spurr, Representative 
from. Dorchester, Major John Quincy of Braintree, and 
Col. John Palmer of Woodstock, who visited the terri- 
tory, the most celebrated party, at that time, to have been 
upon our streets. The old Buck Tavern close by East 
Walpole on the old post road, and the Ball near the old 
sawmill, if they were then in existence, probably both 
gave them free entertainment. On their return to Court 
they made their report. Then the record proceeds: 

"3d December 1724. Thomas Palmer brought down the Petition 
of Sundry of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dedham near the old saw 
mill with the vote or Report of the Committee of both Houses thereon 
as Entered in last Courant, pas'd in Council viz. December 2nd 1724. 
Read and non-concurred, and the Board insist on their former Vote. 
Sent down for concurrence. Read and nonconcurred, and House 
insist on their vote. 

"Dec. 7 1724. An Act for Dividing up the Town of Dedham by 

[58] 



Erecting a new Town under the name of Walpole. Read a second and 
third day and passed to be Enacted." 

This is the first mention of the intended name of the 
new town upon the records. There was some difference 
of opinion as to what the new town should be called, 
thus causing delay, but as Sir Robert Walpole had for 
three years past been prime minister of England and her 
Colonies, and had always proved their true and ever help- 
ful friend, this little struggling community gladly accepted 
the honor of his name. The record thus TOes on: 

"Thomas Palmer Esq of Boston brought down the full vote of 
Council in council Dec. lo, 1724. Ordered that Mr. Ebenezer Fales, 
a principal Inhabitant of the Town of Walpole, be and hereby is directed 
and impowered to Notify and Summon the Inhabitants duly Qualified 
for Voting, to assemble and to meet together for Choosing of Town 
Officers to stand unto the next Annual Election according to Law. 
Read and concurred." 

The Act incorporating Walpole stands thus. 

"ACTS AND LAWS 

Paffed by the Great and General Court or Affembly of His 
Majefty's Province of the Maffachufetts Bay in New England Begun 
& Held at Bofton upon Wednefday the Twenty-feventh of May 1724. 
And continued by feveral Prerogations Unto Wednefday the Eleventh 
Day of November following and then Met. 

"An Act for the Dividing the Town of Dedham and making a 
new Town there by the name of Walpole. 

" Preamble : Whereas the South Part of the Town of Dedham within 
the County of Suffolk is compresetly settled with Inhabitants who labor 
under great difficulties by their Remoteness from the Place of Public 

[59] 



Worship &c, and have thereon made their Apphcation to the said Town 
of Dedham, and hkewise addressed this Court, that they be set off a 
distinct and separate Town and be Vested with all the Powers and 
Privileges of a Town, And the Inhabitants of Dedham having Consented 
to their being set off accordmgly, and a Committee ot this Court having 
Viewed the said Town of Dedham and Reported a proper Divisional 
Line between the Two Parts thereof. Be it therefore Resolved by the 
Lieutenant Governor, Council and Representatives in General Court 
Assembled and by the Authority of the same. That the Southerly Part 
of the said Town of Dedham be and hereby is set off and constituted a 
Separate Township by the Name of Walpole. The Bounds of said 
Township to be as follows viz: To begin at Dorchester Line where the 
Line of Wrentham intersects it and so to extend to Hawes's Brook, 
the said Brook to be Bounds till it comes to Bubling Brook, and on the 
same Course with Bubling Brook to Medfield Road, and so along the 
Road till it comes to Medfield Line and upon Medfield Line until it 
meets with Wrentham Line, and so upon Wrentham Line till it comes 
to the First Station, And that the Lihabitants of the said Lands as before 
described and bounded be and hereby are Vested with the Powers, 
Privileges and Lnmunities that the Inhabitants of any of the Towns 
of this Province by Law are or ought to be Vested with. Provided that 
the Inhabitants of the said Town of Walpole do within the space of 
Eighteen months from the Publication of this Act, Erect and Einish a 
suitable House for the Public Worship of God, and as soon as may be 
procure and settle a learned Orthodox Minister of good conversation, 
and make provision for his comfortable and honorable Support; And 
Likewise provide a School Master to Instruct their ^'outh in Writing 
and Reading, And that thereupon they be discharged from any further 
Payments for the Maintenance of the Ministry and School in the Town 
of Dedham. And be it further Enacted by the Authority afore- 
faid. That the Inhabitants of the said Town of Walpole, be and 
hereby are Impowered to Assess all the Lands of Non-Residents lying 
within the said Town One Penny per Acre towards the Charge of 
Building the Meeting House and Settling and Maintaining a Minister 
there. Anno Regni Regis Georgii Undesimo." 

[ 60 ] 



T 



CHAPTER V 
HE first entry in the Walpole town records is this: 



"Att a meeting ot the town of Walpole December ye 28, 1724 duly 
warned to Chufe Town officers, the Town Chofe Ebenezer Kales to be 
moderator for the Meeting. 

"It was Voted in the affirmative to Chufe Three Select Men and one 
Conftable, at sd meeting the Town made Choice of Samuel Kingsbery to 
be Town Clerk and one of the felectmen, and Serj Joshua Clap & 
Serj Ezra Morfe to be the other Two, and Chole John Hall Conftable 
and att the fame time the Town Clerk and Conitable warre fworn before 
the Select men to the faithful Discharge of their ofices." 

This appears to have been all the business transacted 
at our first town meeting. The doings of the second 
town meeting are recorded as follows: 

"February ye 15, 1724-5 asfembled the Select Men & they Nominated 
Daniel Morse to the Court of Excize as Sutable to Entertain Travelers." 

This looks very much like some of our special town 
meetings of to-day. Of the third town meeting the 
record speaks thus: 

"Att a Meeting of the Towne March ye 8, 1725 Duly warned for ye 
fame Serg Ezra Morfe was Chole moderator for the meeting. Samuel 
Kingsbery was Chofe Town Clerk and one of the Selectmen. The 
others Were Serj. Joshua Clap, Serj. Ezra Morfe, Ebenezer Falles, 
Joseph Hartshorn. Ebenezer Robins Chofe Constable, upon refufal 

[61] 



Proceed and Chofe Thomas Clap, Conftable; Peter Kales, Senor, was 
Chofe Tithing man; John Boyden, Jedediah Morfe, Field Drivers; 
Peter Kales, Ezekiel Robins, Kence Viewers. Joshua Pisher, Thomas 
Hartshorn, Ezra Morfe were Chofe Serveirs for High ways. Eleazer 
Partridge, Samuel Shears, Hog Reaves. 

"The faid officers were fumond by the Conftable to appear att the 
houfe of Jofhua Clap ye I2 of this Inftant, att five oClock at Night to 
be Sworn to the Kaithful Difcharge of ther offices. 

"on ye fd 12 of March asfembled the felect men att the Houfe of 
Joshua Clap and be sworn, foshua Kisher, Thomas Hartshorn, Ezra 
Morfe, John Boyden, Jediah Morfe were fworn to the faithful Dil- 
charge of ye offices they were Chofen to, and att fame Time Peter tales 
Sen. Thomas Clap, Ezekiel Robins, Samuel Shears Refufed to be fworn 
to the faithful Discharge of their offices they were Chole to." 

Human nature then seems to have been pretty much 
as it is now. Some one failed to get the pubHc notice 
he thought himself entitled to, which before the month 
was out led to the following meeting: 

"Att a meeting of the Town March ye 30, 1725 Ebenezer Falles was 
Chole Moderator for said Meeting, there being Difference Refpecting 
the meeting on the 8th of March Inftant. It was Propofed to the Town 
In written words viz if it be the Minds of the Town that thole officers 
that were Chofen att meeting of the Town ye 8th of March Inftant, 
should Stand and Remain in their Ofices they were Chole to then to 
Signifie it by Houlding up the hand, there not being a Major Vote upon 
it, the Moderator Proceeded to a New Choice — a Lift of the officers 
Chofen on faid Day. Samuel Kingsbery Chofen Town Clerk and one 
of the Select men. Peter Kales Sen. Ebenezer Kales, Thomas Clap, 
Joseph Hartshorn. Peter Kales Jun. Ezekiel Robins, Fence viewers. 
Said Peter Kales Chofe Town Treasurer; ebenezer Robins Chofe Con- 
ftable; John Hall Titheingman; Eleazer Partridge, John Guild, Hog 
Reaves; John Boyden, Jediah Morfe, Kield Drivers; Joshua Kisher, 
Thomas Hartshorn, Ezra Morse Jun. Surveirs for High Ways. 

[62] 



"Att the above said meeting, this Town Granted fix Pound for the 
Defraying of Town Charges. And it was further Propofed to the Town 
to Raife money to build a meeting houfe upon the Place prefixd by the 
Generall Court which is near to Thomas Claps, and voted in the affirmi- 
tive. 

"And att the fame meeting the Town Chofe a Commite to overfee 
and take care and manage the building ye sd meeting houfe, the Com- 
mite were Joshua Fisher, Ebenezer Fales, Thomas Clap, Joseph Harts- 
horn, Daniel Morfe. Att the fame meeting it was Propofed to Let 
the Swine go att Large, and Voted." 

Six pounds for a town meeting's appropriation seems 
but the spectre of our constant experience. Even the 
early swine seem favored. The next town meeting 
appears to consider the question of our first Representa- 
tive to the General Court of the Province. Dedham, 
the mother town, had always sent her best men. 

"May ye II, 1725, Asfembled ye Select men and apoynted a Town 
meeting to be upon the 18 of May Inftant to Chufe a Representative 
and to Confider further concerning Building the meeting houfe and 
to make it lefe if the Town sees Cause. Att a Meeting Duly warned 
for ye same Did upon Confideration agree. Att a meeting of the Town 
on the 18 of May 1725 Samuel Kingsbery was Chofe Moderator for 
sd meeting. The Town att ye sd meeting, agreed not to Chufe a Repre- 
fentitive, and upon further Confideration did agree to build a Meeting 
Houfe Smaller than was Propofed and Voted att a meeting of the Town 
ye 30 of March in the year abovesaid, it was Voted in the affirmative to 
build a meeting houfe on the Place Perfixed by the General Court Near 
the Houfe of Thomas Claps 36 feet long & 30 foot wide & 18 foot 
ftud. The Town att the fame meeting Granted Fifty Pounds for the 
first Rate towards Building ye fame, and it was likwife Granted that 
the Inhabitants of the Town that Inclined fhould have Libberty to Labour 
in the Work of the fd Building onwards of their Part in the faid Fifty 
Pound, and fhall be allowed 3 fhillings and Six Pence a Day for a man 

[63] 



and feven f hillings a Day for a man and Teame. And att the lame 
meeting the Town Chofe a Commite to Take Care and overlee with 
Reipect to the Building, and to agree with a workman as Refonahly as 
they Can to aliist m the Hewing and Framing and Finilhing id Houle, 
& the Commite are to take an Account of the Work of the Labourers 
and to give them Credit, Acording to their heft Judgment, the Commite 
Chofen the fame i8 of May Were Serg Joshua Clap, Ebenezer Fales, 
John Boreden, Joshua Fisher, Josep Hartshorn, Thomas Clap and 
Daniel Morfe." 

Immediately following the above, this late item appears: 

"Aprill ye 9, 1725 asfembled the felectmen and Chofe Ebenezer 
Fales and Thomas Clap to meet with Dorchester agents to Run the 
line and Renew the Bounds between Dorchester and Walpole." 

As bearing on old localities the return of these men is 
most interesting, but to avoid repetition the one made 
a few years later and after this part of Dorchester had 
become Stouo-hton will suffice: 

"A Journall of ye Marks in ye Line Between Walpole and Stoughton. 
On Aprill 29, 1734, Lt John Boyden and Jofeph Hartshorn being apointed 
Agents of ye Select men of the Town of Walpole to Run ye Line 
& Renew ye Bound marks of ye Line between Walpole and Stough- 
ton Allfo John Hixfon and Charles Wentworth being apointed agents 
by the Town of Stoughton to Run ye faid Line. Perfuant to their 
orders, Repayrid to ye houfe of Capt. Morfe att ye Time apointed & 
Proceeded to the work of Preambulation, and be gan firft by Capt. 
Morfe at (3) Heeps of Stone — (ye (2) was a ftump Near ye Forge 
Pond, (ye 3) was a White Oak ftump (ye 4 was a white oak Neer ye 
River, (ye 5 a white oak Tree Near ye River, (ye 6 was a Stump with 
a heap of stones comonly called ye ftation Tree — ye 7 a Red oak Tree 
near a Swamp (ye 8 a Red Oak in ye Swamp (ye 9) a Hornbine in a 
Swamp ye 10 a Hefep of ftones Near Carrels houfe — ye (11) a Maple 
tree in a Swale by ye Edg of ye Plain (ye 12 a Heap of itones on a Ridg 

[64] 



on high Plain (ye 13 a heep of ftones att a Root of a Pine fell down, 
ye 14 a heap of ftones Neer a flat Rock, ye (15 a Grey Oak in ye Edg of 
the Pine fwamp ye 18 a Heep of ftones by the Iron mine fwamp ye 19 
a White Oak ye 20 a Great White Oak on a Ridg Neer ye Boxbufh 
(ye 21 a Heap of Stone on a Ridg Near a Road (ye 22 a White Oak in 
Hardens field (ye 23 a black Oak in a Ridg (ye 24 a black Oak (ye 25 
a white Oak near a Great fwamp ye 26 a Heep of Stones (ye 27 a Great 
White Oak (ye 28 three Heeps of Stones ye 29 three Heeps of ftones 
more near ye Road (ye 30 a Heep of ftones on a Rock (ye 31a Walnut 
ftub with a Heap of ftones (ye 32 a Heap of ftones on Raged Plain) 
ye ^^ a Heap of ftones Neer ye high way (ye 34 a Heap of ftones on 
a Rock (ye 35 ye Great Rock ye Corner of Wallpole all ye aforefaid 
Trees markt with W. S." 

The Captain Morse place was in the Morse neighbor- 
hood, Norwood; the Forge pond, the Frank Morse privi- 
lege; the River, the Neponset; the Carrol house, that of 
Joseph Carroll, part owner of Paige's farm; the High plain, 
the same as to-day, and the Pine Swamp the swamp north 
of Spring Brook; the Iron mine swamp, the swamp on the 
south side of Spring Brook; Boxbush, the swamp called 
now the peat meadow on the east side of Washington 
Street, a little to the south of the latter; the first Road, 
Common Street or the old Billings road; the Great swamp. 
Brush meadow; the next Road, the 1723 road by the old 
sawmill, now South Street; Raged Plain, the plain in 
extreme South Walpole; the great rock, the old bound 
known even to this day as Dedham Rock. 

It must be remembered that Hawes Brook in Norwood, 
by Ellis pond and Morrill ink mill, was our northern 
boundary, and that the part of Dorchester east of our line 
had become a part of the new township of Stoughton. 

[65] 



In 1725 it became necessary to ascertain the taxable 
property in town: 

"October ye 22, 1725 asfembled ye lelectmen and apointed a Town 
meeting to be on the 29 of faid month to Chufe fome Town officers, 
and to agree with Refpect to the hiring a minifter, and for the Inhabi- 
tants to bring into the Selectmen a bill of their Eftates. Att a Town meet- 
ing on the 29 of October 1725 Joshua Fisher was Chofe moderator 
and itt was voted in the affirmative to Chule one Selectman in the Room 
of Peter Fales Deceafed. Att the same time Joshua Clap was Chofe 
to be one of the felectmen and att the fame meeting the Town agreed 
to maintain Preaching among us for four months begining about the 
midle of November till the midle of March by free Contribution and 
Chofe a Comite to provide a minifter, the Comite were Joshua Clap, 
Joshua Fisher, and William Robins." 

At this early date something besides human beings 
sometimes got astray, we conclude from the following: 

"January ye 17 1726 asfembled the felectmen and Chofe Ebenezer 
Fales to be Receiver of the Town money, and att the fame time, the 
Select men agreed with Thomas Clap for a Convenient Piece of Land 
Near the Place for the meeting houfe to build a Pound on so long as the 
Pound shall be Capable of being Keep in Repair. Also agreed with 
Peter Fales to build a Pound about 40 feet long and 80 feet wide ex- 
cepting ye Irons for 3 Pound five fhilling and allso apoint a Town Meet- 
ing to be on the 7 of March to Chufe Town officers and to confider and 
do wt the Town may think fit with Refpect to the Settling a minifter 
and to agree to make the meeting houfe somethyng Larger than was 
La ft Voted. 

"At the meeting of the Town on the 7 of March 1726 Town officers 
were Chofen in the following order: Serg Ezra Morfe moderator; Samuel 
Kingsbury was Chofe Town Clerk & one of the Selectmen, the other 
Selectmen were Serj Joshua Clap, Serj Ezra Morfe, Joshua Fisher, 
John Boyden. Thomas Clap was Chofe Conftable; Ebenezer Fales 

[66] 



was Chofe Town Trefurer; Ezekiel Robins was Chofe Titheingman; 
John Guild, Moses Chamberlin, Field Drivers; Timothy Morfe, John 
Hall, Barnet Firrintun, Surveirs for High ways; William Jenks, James 
Borden, Fence Viewers; Robert Worfly, Samll Sheares, Hog Reaves. 

"Att the fame meeting it was agreed to Chufe a Comite to Requeft 
the advice of fome of the Neighbouring Minifters with Refpect to the 
fettling and Choice of a minifter to fettle among us. Att a meeting of 
the Town on the 7 of March 1726, the Town Voted in the Affirmitive 
that the meeting houfe fhould be Built 2 foot Longer and 2 foot wider 
than what was Voted att a meeting of the Town on the 18 of May 1725. 

"May ye 2, 1726 asfembled the felect Men and apointed a Town 
Meeting to be on the 19 of May Inftant to Confider and do what the 
Town shall think fit with Refpect to the Settling a minifter in this Town 
and to Grant money for the meeting Houfe and to Put it out by the 
Great or fome Part of it, and to grant money to Defray other Town 
Charges. 

"Att a meeting of the Town of Wallpole on ye 19 of May 1726 the 
Town did then with the Advice of three of ye Neighbouring minifters 
elect and Chufe the Rev Mr. Joseph Belcher to Preach the Gospel & 
to Settle in the Work of the Miniftry among us. And att the fame meet- 
ing the Town Granted one Hundred Pound for Settlement of the faid 
Mr Joseph Belcher. Provided he be our ordained minifter. Fifty 
Pounds of it to be Paid the year he is ordained and fifty Pound of it the 
Next year after and for his falery the Town Granted for the Three firft 
years Fifty Pound a year, and. after that Sixty Pound a year, and it was 
Voted in the afirmitive that the money on Written fhould be for Mr 
Belcher that comes in Contribution, and the Town Chofe Ebenezer 
Fales and Samll Kingsbery to Treat with the Reverend Mr Belcher." 

The matter of the minister's salary was ever full of 
difficulty. But like the size of the meeting-house, there 
was at last an end. 

"Att a meeting of the Town of Wallpole on ye 29 of June 1726 Duly 
Warned for the fame upon Further Confideration the Town Did alter 

[67] 



Somethings and Circomftances which Were Voted at a meeting of this 
Town on ye 19 of May 1726 viz. that fifty Pound of that which was then 
Granted at the aboveiaid Meeting for ye Settlement of Mr Joseph Belcher 
fhall be Paid the fame year he gives his Anfwer. Provided it be given 
in the affirmative, and Kitty Pound of it the Next year after. And the 
Town Granted that the third year his ialery Ihould be Sixty Pound and 
the Forth year Seventy Pound and ye fifth year Eighty Pounds & when 
there Comes to be the Number of fifty-five Families Ninety Pounds a 
year, and the Town Granted to find him Fire Wood when he comes to 
Need it and the Town Granted that the Loofe money of the Neighbour- 
ing Inhabitants & Strangers money that may be Contributed Ihall be 
for Mr. belcher over and above what is Ingaged as above faid, and 
Further it was Granted that he fhould have the ufe of the Lands that 
Lye in this Town that Belong to the Church in Dedham. Provided 
they can be obtained, and allfo that he fhall have what is Due from the 
Nonrefidents that have Dormant Lands in this Town by Virtue of the 
Court act, and it was Voted in the affermitive that Mr. Belcher should 
Continue with us to Preach the Gospel. 

"And it was Voted to Petition the Town of Dedham for a Tract of 
Land Lying Between the Cedar Swamp and Wrentham Line for the 
Miniftry, and all so to Petition the Church in Dedham for their Lands 
Lyeing in this Town for the miniftry here, and the Town Chofe Ebenezer 
Fales, Joseph Hartshorn & Samuel Kingsbery to be a Commite to 
manage the Petitions. All so the Town att the fame meeting Chofe 
Ebenezer Fales to Tak Care of the Contribution. 

"Att a meeting of the Town on the ig of May 1726, the Town granted 
Fifty Pounds for the Building of meeting houfe, and all so the Town 
Voted in the affirmitive that in the Town Rates there be Ten Shilling set 
on the Poll in a fifty Pound Rate and fo Proportinally the Reft to be 
Levied on the Eftates. 

"August 1726 Asfembled ye Select men & gave order to Ebenezer 
Fales Town Treasurer to Pay to John Richanfon Eleven Pound tor 
what he did at ye meeting houfe, and att the fame Time gave order to 
the Trefurer to Pay to Samuel Kingfbery one Pound four fhilling for 
Books for ye Town." 

[68] 



The books referred to are those on which are now 
found our early records. 

"September ye 27, 1726 asfembled the Select men and gave order to 
Ebenr Fales trelurer to Deliver Eight Pound tor Nails for the meeting 
houfe. 

December ye 9, 1725 aflembled ye Selectmen and gave order to 
Ebenr Pales Trefurer to Pay to Peter Fales ye fum of Three Pounds 
five fhiling for Building ye Pound. December ye 14 1726, asfembled 
ye Select men and ordered Ebenr Fales, Trefurer to pay the Comite 
nineteen fhillings which they Paid to Mr. Richard fon for getting ye 
Timber for the Meeting houfe." 

It seems that the Rev. Mr. Belcher had ministered to 
the spiritual wants of the town, though no record was 
made of his coming, as appears from the following action 
of the town : 

"Att a meeting of ye Tov^^n on ye 19 of December 1726 the Town 
Voted in ye Afirmitive yt ye Select Men fhould Levy the fum of Eight 
Pounds thirteen i hilling and eight Pence for what was Due to Mr. 
Belcher fence the 29 of June laft, and allso granted fixteen Pounds 
for ye uphoulding the Preaching of the Gofpel among us and Chofe 
a Comite to Provid a minifter for ye Prefent, and to provid for his Enter- 
tainment. The Comite Chofen Were John Hall Ezekiel Robins and 
Daniel Morfe." 

All meetings, whether religious or secular, were then 
held in private houses. 

The first recorded assessment of the inhabitants of 
the town runs as follows: 

"September ye 15, 1726. An asfesment made by us whofe Names 
are hereunto fubfcribed by Vertue of an Act of the General Court and 
warrent from this Province Treafurer. Wherein each Pertickler Per- 
fons Proportion is Perfixt to their Names in Diftinct Colums: 

[69] 



Serg Joshua Clap . 
Serg Ezra Morfe . . 
Ebenezer Falles. . . . 
Joseph Hartshorn . 

John Boyden 

Joshua Fisher 

John Hall 

William Robins . . . 
Thomas Clap . . . . 
Timoth Morfe *. . . . 

John Guild 

Barnerd Firuntun 
Ebenezer Robins. . . 
Thomas Hartshorn 
Ezra Morfe Jun . . . 

Samuel Pety 

Daniel Sanders . . . . 
William Fisher . . . . 

John Marfh 

Peter Fales 

Roburt Allin 

John Allin 

William Jenks . . . . 
Benjamin Elldridg . 

Stephen Clap 

Samuel Shears . . . . 

John Boyden 

Eleazer Clap 

Samuel Kingsbery . 
Ebenezer Turner . . 
Eleazer Patridg . . . 
Ezekiel Robins . . . . 

James Smith 

Daniel Morfe 

Jedidiah Morfe . . . 
James Bardens . . . . 

Josiah Morfe 

Mofes Chamberlain 



Polls 



i6 8 



i6 8 


2 


i6 8 


2 


8 4 


2 


8 4 


4 


8 4 


3 


6 4 


o 


8 4 


f 


8 4 
6 


f 



R. E. 



P. E. 



[/o] 



William Patridge 

William Foster 

Joseph Parker 

Nehemiah Ward 

Beriah Ware 

Wido Abigail Fales . . . 

John AUin Med 

John Turner 

Edward Turner 

Henery Adams 

Johnathan Boyden . . . 

James Fales 

Dr. James Jero 

John Buckmaster 

Benjamin Allin 

John Bullerd 

Joseph Boyden 

Benjamin Morfe 

Samuel Clark 

Henery Smith 

Nathanill Guild 

Wido Mary Chenery . . , 

Ifaac Chenery 

Cap. Johnathan Boyden 

Robart Worfly 

John Morfe 



Polls 

8 4 

8 4 

8 4 

8 4 

8 4 



R. E. 



P E. 



Samuel Kingsbery ^ 
John Boyden ^ 

Joshua Fisher J 



Selectmen. 



It will be noticed that the above list includes many 
non-residents and also leaves out many who lived in 
present Walpole territory — such as John Bullard, Isaac 
Lewis, Jeremiah Gould, Nathaniel Coney, and others. 

In 1726 the first action is taken for support of the 
poor, as follows: 

[71] 



"and att the lame time gave sd Clap a warrant forthwith to pay into ve 
said Treafurer twenty shiUings for the Ufe of ye Poor of said Town 
for his Giving in a talfe Bill for his Eftate to ye Select men." 

In 1727 Ebenezer Fales and Thomas Clap were chosen 
at the March meeting to find a convenient place for the 
"Settlement for a Minifter." Joshua Fisher was also a 
member of the committee, but his name does not appear 
on either of the deeds made necessary in the purchase 
of the old Peter Fales place, the place thus purchased 
for a parsonage. 

The following contributed either labor or money in 
the erection of the first meeting-house, as appears from 
the following;: 

"January ye 20, 1727 Asfembled ye Select Men and gave order to 
the Town Trefurer to Pay to feverall Perfons for work and other nece- 
faries they did for the Meeting houfe 

£ s. d. £ s. d. 

To Samuel Kingsbery . . . . o 12 11 To Rob art Allin i 2 5 

To John Boyden 2 7 6 To Abbigaill Fales i 18 i 

To Jediah Morfe o 8 7 To Ebenezer Fales 8 15 11 

To Ezekiel Robins 2 2 2 To Nehemiah Ward o 4 6 

To Joshua Fisher 2 7 9 To George Allin o -^ 6 

To Eleazer Patridge o 11 4 To John Allin o 8 o 

To Ebenezer Turner i o 3 To Barnert Firintun o 4 2 

To Moses Chambelin o 12 3 To Daniel Morfe i 12 10 

To Joseph Hartshorn o 9 i To Mr. Richardfon 14 5 o 

To Thomas Hartshorn o 10 o To Timothy Morfe 2 o o 

To Joshua Clap 3 13 6 

The next entry in the early town records of interest is 
the following: 

"Att a meeting of ye Town of Walpole on ye 7th of March 1727 it 
was Voted in the affirmitive to Choofe a Commite to Gather fome 

[7^] 



Certain fums of Money that have been fubfcribed by fome of ye In- 
habitants of this Town as may apear by a fubfcription towards ye Build- 
ing of the meeting houfe and fettHng a minifter, and they are to fubduct 
out of ye fame fuch fums as they ye Subfcribers, or others have Paid 
Towards ye Getting The Town fet off by the Court. The Comitte 
Chofen Were Thomas Clap Samuel Kingsbery — And ye Comitte are 
to Pay the above faid money into the Town Trefurer." 

The meeting-house all this time was slowly building, 
but another appropriation was, it seems, needed: 

" Att a Meeting of ye Town on ye Seventh of March 1727, ye Town 
Granted Fifty Pound towards Finifhing the Meeting houfe. On March 
ye 31 asfembled ye Select men and Gave order to ye Town Trefurer to 
Pay to Ebenezer Robins For Geting fhingieles and Clabords for ye 
Meeting houfe ye fum of 6 15 o. To Thomas Clap for Work and 
other Necefaries ye sum of 2 9 9. To Joseph Carrel for Work o 17 o. 
To Peter Fales for Work 046. To Samll Shears for Work 
036. To William Jenks 2 9 10." 

This is followed by an almost positive intimation that 
the people had at last got ready to permanently settle a 
minister and were dissatisfied with temporary make- 
shifts. 

"Att a Meeting of ye Town of Walpole on ye Tenth of Aprill 1727 ye 
Town Granted Sixty Pound for the Uphoulding of ye Preaching of ye 
Gospel among us, and whereas Timothy Morfe Declined (erving as a 
felectman, Joseph hartfhorn was chofen in his Room and ftead att ye 
above faid meeting, and att ye fame meeting, Thomas Clap, Ebenezer 
Robins & Ezekiel Robins Were Chofen for a Comite to provide a minifter 
for ye Prefent. Sept. ye 29 1727 asfembled ye Select Men and apointed 
a town meeting to be on the fourth of October next to Grant money & 
to Grleaze the meeting houfe, and to Grant money to Defray Town 
Charges." 

[73] 



"And allfo att the fame time Gave order to Ebenezer Kales Trefurer 
to Pay to Mr. Joseph Belcher ye fum of 8 13 6. And allfo to Pay to 
ye Commite Viz John Hall, Daniel Morfe, Ezekiel Robins for Procuring 
Preaching in the Winter feafon In the year 1726 ye fum of ;^i6." 

It seems from this that most of the going to meeting 
then was done in the winter when the farmer could do 
but Httle else. It, however, had an advantage over the 
present custom of not going at all. 

There next follows another list of townsmen who 
additionally helped to build our first meeting-house, and 
it must be remembered that the house was to be not 
merely a church but a place of general gathering: 

"September ye 29, 1727 asfembled ye felect Men and Gave order to 
the Town Treafurer to Pay to the feverall Perfons under Writen for 
Work and Matterals For the Meeting houfe the feverall fums That 
are Perfixt to Their Names as FoUoweth: 



£ .. d. 

Joshua Clap 11 8 6 

William Jenks 3 10 2 

John Richardfon i 14 6 

Samuel Kingsbery o 12 3 

John Boyden 2 o 3 

James Blake 6 14 6 

Thomas Clap 2 12 o 

Ephraim Clark o 2 6 

jedidiah Morfe i 4 o 

Daniel Morfe o 2 9 

Thomas Lawrence 590 

Eleazer Patridge o 14 o 

John Hall i o o 

William Robins o 4 o 



Barnert Firintun o 

Samuel Pety o 

John Boyden, Jr 4 

Mofes Chamberlin o 

Joseph Hartshorn o 

John Guild o 

Ebenezer Fales 24 

Samuel Toplif 12 

Heirs of Edward Wiatt . ... 6 

Peter Lvon o 

Thomas Hartfhorn o 

James Smith o 

Timothy Morfe o 



"January ye 16, 1728. Asfembled ye Select Men and Gave order 
to ye Town Treafurer to Pay to ye Comitee Viz Tomas Clap, Ebenezer 

[74] 



Robbins, Ezekiel Robins ye fum of Twenty-nine Pound for their Pro- 
curing Preaching Twenty faboths." 

Besides the condition that the town should establish 
preaching, there was also, in the act of incorporation, 
one that it should support a school. Year after year 
went by while it was struggling with the ministerial ques- 
tion, until something turned their attention to their con- 
tinued neglect of this important matter, as thus appears: 

"February ye l6 1728 asfembled ye Select men and Gave order for 
a Town Meeting to be on the fifth of March to Chufe Town officers and 
to Grant money to Defray the Town Charges, and allso to Grant money 
for a fchool, and for the Town to manifest their Minds with Refpect to 
the fetthng Mr belcher." 

At the March meeting in 1728 the town voted to reduce 
the number of selectmen to three, — Ezra Morse, Joshua 
Fisher, and Samuel Kingsbury; the latter also being con- 
tinued as Town Clerk, as Ebenezer Fales was continued 
Treasurer. At this meeting a new town official was chosen 
called "furveier of fhingle and Clabord," the high honor 
going to Joseph Hartshorn. 

"It was also voted that the town brand in the future should be WA, 
and that the meeting should be adjourned until the i6th of April to re- 
new the call to Mr Belcher and to choose Ebenezer Fales and Samuel 
Kingsbery to secure the services of Mr Belcher untill then." 

On April 16, 1728, the town voted to accept their 
proportion of the sixty thousand pounds of the General 
Court of the Province, and appointed Ezra Morse, Sr. 
Ezra Morse, Jr., and Joseph Morse the trustees, who 
engaged to pay into the treasury of the Province both 

[75] 



principal and interest as the law directed, and also to 
pay interest to the treasurer of the town for the use of 
the town after the rate of one pound per cent annually, 
for which they gave sufficient bond. But with all their 
need of expedition with their meeting-house, when a 
motion was made for the old committee to continue 
building the result was an emphatic "non-concurrence," 
followed by the only hopeful occurrence, in the following 
August, of paying the account of Joshua Clap, fifteen 
shillings for boarding the minister. 

On April 1 6, 1728, the town voted to settle the Rev. 
Joseph Belcher and received this acceptance: 

"Walpole, May 17, 1728 — To the Inhabitants of Walpole — Sirs: 
I Defire to be duely fencible of the Importance of The Work and fervice 
unto Which you have fo kindly Invited me among you, and I am fencible 
That it is an afair Which Requireth great Deliberation and ferious 
Thought, and who Indeed is fuffishent for Thefe Things, I Hope I 
have Taken the Call which I Receaved from you to fettle In the Work 
of the Miniftry among you into ferious Confideration, and I Hope I 
have endeavoured to Delibrate Thereupon with folemity, feriousnefs 
and affection, and I hope and Trult I have had the Divine Detection 
in the Methods of Piety Together with the Councell and Advice of Able 
and Wife Judges with Refpect to my Proceeding in the Weighty affairs 
before me, I would Endeavour to Confider and Take Notice of the 
Providence of God in your Electing and Calling me to settle in the Work 
of the Miniftry among you, and in your Renewing the call of Late, and 
I am Perfuaded Thatt divine Providence Calls and Oblidges me to an 
acceptance. Wherefore Thankfully accepting your call to Settle ie 
the Work of Ministry among you my anfwer Thereto is in the Affirmitive 
in Which I Defire Willingly and Sincerely to give up myself to the 
Service of Chrift in the gospel among you. Depending upon Divine 
help and affiftance. Hoping you Will nott be wanting Hereafter in your 

[76] 



kindnefs and Encoragements Towerds me, and fo be fpeaking To 
Joyn with me in Sincere and fervant Prayers to god, for his Gracious 
affiftance, Bleffing and Direction in the Important Afair before us, 
I fubfcrib my felf your Servant in Offices of Duty and Love. 

"Joseph Belcher." 

It was intimated in general language of Mr. Belcher's 
call, that the town would purchase or in some way obtain 
the Dedham Church lands for the use and benefit of the 
ministry, but in acceptance of the call, on another occasion, 
Mr. Belcher kindly released the town therefrom. 



[77^ 



CHAPTER VI 

THE same year the town ran all its lines, and both 
the old names of BubbHng Brook and Hawes 
Brook, with the additional interesting local history, 
appear: 

" June 1728 asfembled ye Select Men and apointed thatt the ferveirs 
fhould mend the high waye, as followeth: That WiUiam Fifher fhould 
Take care of them from ye fence Parting Thomas hartihorns Land from 
Halls to Dedham Line, and that Eze. Robins fhould Take Care of 
them from fd fence to Moles Chambelins, and the faid Chambelin ihall 
take care of them from Thence to ftop River." 

The first mention of payment of town officers appears 
in the following: 

"Feb. ye 21, 1729 asfembled ye Select men & gave order to ye Town 
Tressurer to Pay to Samll Kingsbury fifteen fhilling for Wrighteen for 
ye Town." 

Up to this date the penmanship of the early records, 
pretty much all done by this man, is deserving of all 
praise, neat and legible, which cannot be said of that of 
his successor in the town clerkship, Ezra Morse, Jr. 
That closely approaches the well-scratched ground of a 
busy hen yard. The next vote was to allow the swine 
to run at large. May 5, there was, also, the matter 

[78] 



of accepting the resignation of the Rev. Joseph Belcher, 
the fencing the burial yard, and running the road below 
the forge over the forge dam. Seventeen pounds and 
fourteen shillings w^ere ordered paid to Jonathan BiUings 
for "glafing the meeting houfe." 

At the followmg May meeting it was proposed to lay 
out a road from Sawmill road by the house of Ezra Morse 
to the Stoughton line. This was Mylod Street, which 
for years after w^as called the Lieut. Ezra Morse road. 

The town voted that they would dismiss Mr. Belcher 
from being their minister and to pay him one hundred 
pounds by the seventeenth of that month. Again the 
town refused to choose a Representative. 

On the following fifteenth the town appropriated £So 
to have preaching again, and John Hall, Ezekiel Robins, 
and Thomas Hartshorn were chosen to secure a minister 
in place of Mr. Belcher, but refused to grant any money 
to finish the meeting-house. This year the names of 
Isaac Lewis, John Bullard, and Joseph Willet first appear 
on the Walpole tax list. 

On Sept. 22, 1729, the town voted to settle another 
minister at once. Several, including Phillips Payson of 
Dorchester, a graduate of Harvard College in the class 
of 1724, had appeared as candidates. The fourth motion 
at this meeting; runs thus: 

"it was propofed to the town warther Mr payfon fhould be the firft in 
nomination and it was voted in the afermitive, it was propofed to the 
Town warther Mr Joseph baxtar junr. fhuld be the fecond in nomi- 
naton and voted in the afarmitive. 61y it was propofed to the Town 
warther Mr Bowles should be the third in nomination and voted in the 

[79] 



afarmitive. And it was propofed to the town warther they woud have 
Mr Messenger, Mr Dexter or Mr Buckman and Mr Dunbar tree of tham 
to carre on the fast." 

This Is followed by another and conclusive entry: 

"Att a Meting of the Town Octtober the 20, 1729 the Town made 
choice of Mr philHps payson to be thare minifter by 30 votes and Mr 
Joseph baxter Junor by 7 votes. It was propofed to the town wather 
thay would give Mr paylon the fome of one hundred pounds lertlement 
provided he be our ordained minifter and voted in the afermitive. itt 
was propofed to the town wather thay would give Mr payfon the fome 
of one hundred pounds salary a year lo long as he Ihall be our minifter 
voted in the afermitive. Ebenezer falef, John bordens famuale kingf- 
bury Gommittemen to prefent thar cafe to Mr payfon." 

In the following February, the weather forced them to 
also grant their minister the firewood he had months 
before requested in his letter of acceptance. This chapter 
of the records ends with the following: 

" Febr. ye 27, 1728 the Selectmen ordered the Town Treafurer to 
pay to Ebenezer Turner ye fum of Twenty fhilling and to William Holden 
the like fum of Twenty fhilling for killing Two Grown Wild Cats." 

This was the first chance for any but the officials to 
get anything out of the town treasury. 

At the March meeting of 1730 the town appropriated 
thirty pounds to finish the meeting-house, which had 
been going to be finished for the last five years, but still 
had failed to get there. 

Following this entry is another reference to early 
localities: 

[80] 




THE FIRST MEETIXG-HOL.SE (JE WALPULE, THE CHURCH OE' 
THE REV PHILLIPS PAYSON, SR. 

Situated on the west central part of the old M eeting-H ouse Common, 
Walpole Centre. The hill was afterwards removed for a site for the 
second meeting-house 



"On ye 30 of March 1730 Asfembled ye Selectmen and appointed 
Joseph Hartshorn surveir to Take care of and mend the high ways in 
Walpole from Dedham Line as far as to ye South east of Ebenr Pales 
and Benjan Carrels and the Hands within the laid Bounds. And allfo 
appointed Jofhua Clap furveir to Take care of and Mend the Ways In 
Walpole from Ebenr Fales and Ben Carrols as far as a Hill in faid Town 
called and known by the Name of the Diged Hill and to have the hands 
within the faid Bounds. And Allfo apointed Ephraim Clark to Take 
of and Mend the high ways in Walpole from the Diged Hill to the 
Wrentham Lyne with the hands within the faid Bounds." 

On June 19, 1730, a day of fasting and prayer, on a 
"Thursday in July," was appointed, at which three of 
the neig-hborino; ministers were to assist. It was further 
voted to have the new minister, PhiUips Payson, ordained 
Wednesday, September 9 following, and that on August 
19 they should hold a meeting at their meeting-house to 
arrange for the ordination; and it was voted, also, that 

"Ye entertainment fhould be made att ye houfe of Ebenezer Fales, 
he confenting to Take it att 5 shilling a man, Samuel Austing Jeremiah 
Day, John Guild and Jacob Ellis were chosen to Preferve feverall feats 
which were mentioned for the Elders and Meffingers and Church." 

The ordination was deferred, however, at the request 
of Mr. Payson, until September 16. 
This is followed by : 

"On ye 16 of September, the Rev. Mr. Philips Payson was ordained 
Pastor to the Church of Walpole." 

This year weights and measures were procured for the 
town — brass weights from one ounce to four pounds, 
scales, beer quart, wine pint, wine half pint, gill pot, 

[8.] 



half bushel, peck and half peck, a brand and stamp, and 
a yard. 

March, 1731, fifty pounds more were appropriated for 
the long finishing meeting-house. In 1732 one pound 
was paid Samuel Petty for right of highway through his 
land. On March 17, 1732, the town granted 

"30 Pound for ye upholding of schools, in ye Town 15 Pound of it 
to be Improved for ye Inftructing ye Litle Children in ye lumer Time 
to be for a woman School and to be Improved in Maner following 
Namely att Eafy Plain and Near ye Meeting houfe, and about a mile 
or a mile and half Northeaft ard of ye fame where the Select men fhall 
appoint. The other 15 Pound to be Improved for Writing School In 
the Wintr feafon to be for a moveing School to be kept att ye a hove 
mentioned Places as Each Part to have their Equall Proportion of Time. 

"Att ye Same Meeting it was Voted in ye afermitive to bring In the 
Minifter's Salary in Way of Contribution, and that Thofe Perfons that 
fhall bring in their money In this Method Writing on their Money 
and Putting it in to ye Contribution Box fhall have it of fett in the 
Minifter Rate. Ebenezer Fales was Chofe to Take care of ye Box. 

"Att ye same Meeting the Town axcepted of a Highway Laid out by 
John Boyden and Samuel Kingsbury by order of ye felectmen Laid out 
Two Rods wide and Mark on ye North fide of ye fame on severall small 
Treefs and a ftake from the High way Near a Bridg Called Rams Bridg 
to ye Bridg by Morfes Mill att Stop River." 

On April 10, 1732, the town voted to join the neigh- 
boring towns in forming a new county, and Lieut. Ezra 
Morse was chosen to represent them in the matter. 

"Sept 22 asfembled ye Select men & Deputed Capt Esra Morfe, 
Lt John Boyden and Mr Joseph Hartshorn to Vew and Lay out, If they 
fee Caufe, a High way from ye Rhoad in Walpole By ye Buring Place 
to ye Houfe of Joseph Carrel Where it may be Moft Benefeciall to ye 

[82] 



Publict and Leaft Damage to Propriety and they are to make Return 
to ye Town ye Next Annual Meeting." 

In March, 1733, the first school-teachers received their 
pay, — James Kingsbury and Mary Hall for teaching at 
Easy or Walpole Plain. 

March 6, 1733, appears the following: / 

"It was allfo Voted In ye afFamitive to Choufe a Commite to Vew 
and allter ye Road Near Brufh Meadow upon William Partridges 
Land if they think fit Provided ye faid Partridge fhall Mak ye Road 
good and Paffible att his own Charge to ye Acceptation of ye Committee. 
Ye Committee chofen were Thomas Clap, Daniel Morfe Eni Clap. 

"Ye Town Granted to Ezekiel Robbins for Looking after ye Meeting 
houfe and Sweeping it 3 year and a half 3 10 and to Samuel 
Kingsbury for Writing for ye Town ye year 1732, Twenty shiling." 

Then appears the following reference to the portion of 
East and Kendall streets referred to above: 

"March ye i, 1733 asfembled ye Select men & laid out a High Way 
from fhinkins [Simpkins] Land by Joseph Carrols Houfe to ye Rhoad 
by the Burying Place Two Rod wide & markt as followeth; being 
Within one Rod on ye fouth fide of William Fosters Houfe from thence 
to a ftub Markt (2) a walnut Tree ye (3) a Gray oak and Turning 
foutherly to black Burch and fo to Daniel Fishers Land as ye Trees are 
Markt. Then Turning Westerly upon ye Line Between Dec. Fales and 
Daniel Fisher's Land Dec. Fales has given one Rod Till itt comes to the 
Northweft corner of Daniel Fifhers fence & then 3 Gray Oaks being 
Markt on ye North fide of ye Rhoad, and through Mr Halls Land as 
it is Markt ye faid Hall giving ye Land, And from thence over ye brook 
to Churches Land as ye Road is now drawn. Dec. Fales giving the 
Land, and when it comes to ye Land called Churches to Continue wher 
it is now Drawn Till itt Comes to the Road by the Burying Place fo to 
Continue Till fuch Time as Decon Fales and William Robbins do agree 

[83] 



upon and ftate a Line between them in that Place & when they agree 
upon that Matter they Have Promiled each of them to give a Rod wide 
on their Line Till it comes to the Road aforefaid which ye faid Kales 
and Robbins have Promifed before ye Select men." 

It is interesting to note more particularly the expendi- 
tures in finishing the meeting-house. Obadiah Morse 
received 2 pounds for "irons"; John Snow, Sr., 26 pounds 
7 shillings for labor; Joseph Hartshorn, 2 pounds 10 
shillings; James Blake, for 735 feet of boards and carting, 

3 pounds 7 shillings; James Smith, for nails; Samuel 
Morse for "springs"; Peter Lyon, for sawing, 2 pounds 

4 shillings; Jonathan Wight, for carting a load of boards 
from Wrentham to the meeting-house, 2 shillings; Joshua 
Fairbank, for a thousand feet of boards for the meeting- 
house, 5 pounds; Ezekiel Robbins, for part payment of 
workmen's board, 3 pounds. 

May 30, 1733, twenty pounds were appropriated for 
finishino; the still unfinished meeting-house. 

In 1734 the town authorized Capt. Morse and Lieut. 
Boyden to purchase a stock of powder and bullets. 
Jacob Ellis was chosen surveyor of the new road from bub- 
ling brook to Wrentham road. Joseph Willet of the ways 
on the north east side of Spice and Mill Brooks; Henry 
Smith of the way from the sandy hill by Ezekiel Robbins 
to Stop River with the hands at Easy Plam, he allowing 
John and Jonathan Boyden to do their proportion of 
work in the new road across their land; Stephen Clap for 
the rest of the ways southeast of Spice and Mill brooks. 
The town also arranged with William Fisher to furnish 
fifteen pounds' worth of firewood at eight shillings a cord 

[84] 




THE ISAAC LEWIS, SR.— JOHN LEWIS — CHARLES 
EVERETT PLACE 

Oumed for a few years by both William Foster and Joseph Coney. 
The birthplace of Rev. John Lewis, husband of the Rev. Har- 
lan Page's only daughter; also the birthplace of Fanny S. 
Lewis, eighteen years missionary to India as wife of the Rev. 
H. M. Scudder of Brooklyn, N. Y. The Rev. John Lewis was 
also one of our early school-teachers 

\ 



for their pastor. Deacon Fales still had charge of the 
contribution box. 

The above mentioned new road in the north part of 
the town is thus described: 

"A Rhoad Laid out by Capt. Morse, Joseph Hartshorn and Thomas 
Clap Feb. 25, 1733. Laid out 2 Rods wide from BubHng brook between 
the land of Eleazer bulerd and James Jero fo far as their Land goes, 
from thence to the Houfe of Mofes Elice as ftrait as may be & from 
fd Jacobs Houfe to Nathaniel Gays Frame as it is markt out and from 
Gays Frame to the houfe of Jeremiah Day as ftraight as may be & from 
faid Days to Wrentham Rhoad as ftrait as may be between John Halls 
and Thomas Hartfhorns. The above faid Rhoad was Propofed and 
Excepted by the Town at their Aniverfary meeting In March 1734." 

This was North Street and was followed by the two 
mentioned below: 

"A Rhoad Laid out by the Select men Nov 5, 1733, Crofs a part of 
Sawmill Devident Begining att the North fide of Jonathan Boydens 
Land as itt is Drawn till it Comes by his houfe to a White Oak Tree 
Marked, then running on John Boydens Land on a Ridg hill till it comes 
to a small Pine, from thence to a Red Oak from thence to the corner 
of his fence and fo to his Frame as ftraight as may be & fo to ftoughton 
Line. And allfo from the White Oak above mentioned between Jonathan 
and Johns Land till itt comes to Huppers and fo between them, each 
allowing a Rod and till itt comes to Gays Land and upon itt as itt is now 
Drawn till itt Comes to a Walnut Tree markt, fo to a black oak, and fo 
by the Maks till itt comes to Stoughton Line. Propofed and accepted 
by the Town March 5 1734." 

The first mention of any payment for teaching in the 
north part of the town occurs as follows: 

"On March 4, 1735 ye Select men ordered Ebenezer Partridg Con ft 
to Deliver and Pay to Joseph Hartshorn 7 12 o five Pound thereof 

[85] 



to Pay for ye School which has heen keept att Petties & 2 1 2 of it to 
Pay for School Keept in ye midle of ye Town." 

This year jedediah Morse was paid for sawing lumber 
and plank for two bridges, and Lieut. John Boyden for 
laying out a way to Scratch Hollow. 

An attempt was made, the same year, to allow the 
public to construct pews in the meeting-house at their 
own expense and regard them their own property, but it 
did not succeed. It was, however, 

"Agreed yt there fhould be a Board Put Round ye houfe futable for 
ye Time. Plaiftering to come too below and yt ye feats in ye Gallery 
be made, and the walls feald with board att ye back of ye feats in ye 
Gallery as high as may be futable, and ye Reft of ye Walls and alHo 
on ye beams Plaifterd with Lime." 

The everlasting finishing the meeting-house, however, 
seems to have been puzzling them still. At this meeting 
occurs the first mention of jurors when 

"the town voted that Joshua Fishers Name fhould be Left out of ye 
Box of Petty Juriors Provided he Pay forty fhilling towards finifhing 
ye meeting Houfe, the doing of which fhall free him from ye fervice by 
Reafon of his bodily weakness. The fd forty fhilling has been Paid." 

This year the name of Jeremiah Dexter, probably con- 
nected with the Dedham Dexters, first appears. The 
Medfield road was also improved and straightened. 

Even in 1736, twelve years after the incorporation of 
the town, the meeting-house finishing was still quietly 
going on, as appears from the following entry: 

"Chofe John Hall, John Guild, Ebenezer and Ezekiel Robins and 

[86] 



Joshua Clap a Committee to Manage the finifhing the Meeting Houfe, 
and it was a Greed on yt Thofe Perfons That fhall Putt money Into the 
Contribution Box on Saboth Days and Write on their money fhall have 
it offfet in their Rates att years Ende." 

In 1736 appear the names of Eben Baker, George 
Cleaveland, and Samuel Copp. In 1737 Thomas Clap 
was paid for "Looking after ye meeting houfe," and 
Ebenezer Robins for "Providing timber & Sawing & 
Drawing yt along," indicating that since settlement there 
had been three sawmills in town Samuel Kingsbury, who 
was Town Treasurer, also at the same time acted as a 
teacher in the public schools, which continued to be kept on 
the Plain, in the Centre and at the east part of the town. 

There is so much interesting early history in the first 
assignments to road surveyors, the following is added : 

"The felect Men asfembled March 24, 1737 and agreed & ordered 
that Daniel Smith Surveir fhould Take Care & mend the Roads Lead- 
ing from Stop River to Spice brook & to have ye Hands att Eafye Plain 
Sam Shears, Peter Fales Eze Robins Thomas Clap Aquilla Robins 
Jofiah Morfe and thofe Dwelling with them. And yt Roburt Allin 
fhould Have ye care of ye Reft of ye Ways on ye fame fide of faid brook & 
have ye Reft of ye hands on faid fid of ye brook. And that William 
Fifher fhould take Care of ye Road Leading from ye Road Neear Huppers 
to bubbling brook and to have Petitioners for faid Way to Mend ye 
fame. And that Jofeph Morfe with ye Reft of ye Hands on ye Northerly 
fide of ye faid brook take care of and Mend the Reft of ye Roads on ye 
faid fide of ye brook. And att ye fame time gave ye Conftable Warrant 
to order a perfon Refident att Aldritches to Depart out of ye Town, his 
Name is attwood." 

This year Henry Smith and Ensign Clap were chosen 
a committee to provide "School Dames." 

[87] 



That the meeting-house was not yet "quite" finished 
appears from the town's action on June 21, 1738, when 
it voted to "Defer ye Plaiftering on the Beams in the 
Meeting houfe till further order." It also voted that there 
should be "two Pews Made att ye Towns Charge to be 
for the Towns ufe on the Northeafterly end of the Pulpit," 
and that "the Remainder of the room Defigned for Pews 
fhould be Granted to thofe Perfons thatt fhall appear and 
make them on their own Charge for their ufe and feats in 
ym making this Provife that in cafe any Perfons fhould 
fe caufe to fell their Pews that the Town fhould have the 
offer of them and alfo voted that they fhould have their 
choice fucceffively acording to their Bills of Eftates, and 
Left the Orderins: of the Matter to the Selectmen." 

At the meeting, July 13, 1738, it was voted that there 
should be eight pews made in the room designed for pews 
in spite of the following: 

"On the 30 June 1738. Asfembled ye Selectmen and thought fitt 
and agreed that the room in ye meeting houfe Defigned for Pews that 
was Granted to Perfons that would build them att their own Charge 
fhould be made into twelve Pews, viz: Six on the Southeaftly lide of the 
houfe and three att the fouthweft end and three att the Northeait End 
of the Houle. 

"The moft of the Perfons being Prefent that were to make their 
Choice Proceeded to choofe as followeth Thomas Clap chofe on ye 
Right hand Next ye Great doars, Next Joyninge to that William Robins 
chofe, on the Left hand Next the Great doars, Dec. Ebenezer Fales 
chofe, Next Joyning to that Jofeph Hartfhorn chofe, Next Joyning to 
that Jacob Elice Chofe, on the Left hand going in att the Southwest 
Doar enfign Jofhua Clap Chofe, the Next Joyning to that Ebenezer 
Robbins Chofe, the Next joyning to that Ezekiel Robins Chofe." 

[88] 



It has always been held at the Secretary of State's office, 
where there is a copy of the earhest map of the Town, 
that of 1794, that the meeting-house there represented is 
that of the second edifice, and that the first faced to the 
northwestward, and that the surveyor in his diagram 
indicated the change from that direction towards the 
northeast. The roof is most pecuhar. 

The house is there placed on the northeasterly corner 
of the junction of the old Wrentham Road and a street 
running southeasterly through the middle of what is now 
the Common. 

This conforms with tradition coming down to the 
author, and the southwest door mentioned above seems to 
corroborate it. This was the southwestwardly side door 
on the old Wrentham road. 

This year Nathaniel Guild, John Hooper, and Jedediah 
Morse of Stoughton asked to join their lands to the town 
of Walpole, and " Barnard Faringtun was supported by the 
town through a long sickness." Also Ezra Morse and his 
sons petitioned the General Court to be set off to Dedham. 

Also the owners of pew rights relinquished them on 
condition that the town would, at its own expense, build 
eight pews. Only Ebenezer Fales and Thomas Clap had 
prepared for the construction of their pews. Their boards 
and labor were compensated for by the town. 

John Guild and Jonathan Lawrence were the school- 
teachers this year and the people were, by a committee, 
seated in the meeting-house. 

On May 21, 1739, the town voted to give Mr. Payson 
twelve pounds in money, in lieu of firewood. The pastor 

[89] 



was then living in the place purchased in 1727, by the 
committee, Ebenezer Fales and Thomas Clap above 
referred to, from the heirs of Peter Fales, Sr., for the 
settlement of the minister, to whom it had been conveyed 
in 1732, just before his marriage to Anne Swift, daughter 
of Rev. Mr. Swift of Framingham. This house was 
standing till destroyed by fire a few years ago. For many 
years it was owned in equal shares by Jason Ellis, our 
old undertaker, and James G. Hartshorn, and was the 
house next north of the estate of Deacon Bradford Lewis. 

As late as 1739 the usual annual appropriations, with 
the exception of the minister's and teachers' salaries, were 
some ten pounds. 

Aug. 24, 1739, for a variety, Benjamin Perkins was 
warned out of town, and schoolhouses engaged some 
much needed attention. 

"November ye 6, 1739 voted in the afirmitive that the Town would 
build three fchool houfes and that each Part of the Town fhould build 
their own houfe at their own Charge. One Neare William Fifhers 
houfe, fecond school houfe on Leu. Clap Land on Northeast fid of the 
Road Leading to billings Neare the road going to the fourge — the third 
on ye Land of Deacon Kingsbery on that fid of his Lot next Dextors 
on the left hand of the road and the Town granted Ten pounds for a 
school for the winter feafon to be in the middle of the Town." 

In 1738 Thomas Clap had endeavored to get the town 
to secure a title to the meeting-house site, concerning 
which the following bond had been previously given: 

"April ye 4 1737 Asfembled the felectmen upon the Desire of Thomas 
Clap and agreed with him as follows — 

" Know all men by thefe prefents that I Thomas Clap of Walpole in 

[90] 



ye County of Suffolk, and province of Masfachusetts bay in New Eng- 
land, yoman, am Holden and ftand Bound and obliged unto John 
Boyden Jofeph Hartfhorn Jofhua Fifher Jofhua Clap and Daniel 
Smith all of ye Town and County aforefaid and felect Men of ye faid 
Town of Walpole in ye full and Just fum of five Hundred pounds law- 
full money of New England to be paid unto ye faid Select Men or their 
fuccefers in faid 1 ruft tor the uses and Benefit of faid Town To the 
which payment well and Truly to be made I bind myfelf my Heirs, 
Executors, adminiftrators and Every of them firmly by thofe prefents. 
fealed with my feal Dated ye Forth Day of April AD. 1739 and in ye 
Twelvth year of his Majefties Reign Gorg ye fecond King &c. 

"The Condition of ye Above obligation is fuch that whereas ye 
meeting houfe in faid Walpole now ftands on ye land of the above 
bounden Thomas Clap and he having agreed to give ye Town of Walpole 
aforefaid ye use benifit and Improvement of all ye land without his 
fence on each fide of fd meeting houfe fo long as fd Town fhall fee 
Cafe to Improve the fame as it is now Improved and to build and Re- 
build meeting houfes on ye fd land and no other building in Con- 
fideration that ye Town of Walpole Do at a Town meeting of fd Town 
Duly warned before ye firft day of June Next voat and grant unto ye 
fd Thomas Clap ye Next pue to ye foutherly Door of ye Meeting houfe 
on ye Right hand of faid Door for him and his familys ufe or Choufe 
a comitie at faid meeting that fhall pay or caus to be paid or Duly ten- 
dered unto ye faid Thomas Clap ye fum of Ten pounds in your Bills 
of Credit of ye old Tenier within six months from faid meeting. 

"Now Therfore if ye fd Town Do grant faid pue as aforsfaid or fd 
Comitee fo Chofen or any other purfon Do pay or Tender faid fums 
of Ten pounds to ye fd Clap and ye faid Clap Thereupon giving to fd 
Town a good and ample writing to be provided by fd felect Men or 
Comitee according to ye Tru Intent and meaning of ye above Recited 
agreement that may be fufficient to Convay and make fure ye fame as 
aforefaid then ye above Writen obligation to be vid and of none affect 
other wife to ftand and remain in full force. ^ 

" figned fealed and Delivered In Presents of us 
" Peter Lyon William Wright" 

[91] 



A 



CHAPTER VII 

T the opening of cold December, 173Q, in spite of 
weather or feeling, the town records: 



"Walpole December ye 3, 1739 — by order of a Warrant from the 
felectmen Jofeph petty and mary petty his wife were warned out of 
this town as the Law Directs." 

As a just punishment one Hannah Pettee afterwards 
obliged the town to support her for life. 

Among the citizens of this year appears what may be 
taken for our first acquisition from Bonnie Scotland or 
the Emerald Isle, "Nail Macknail." He may have been 
Scotch. Whether Scotch or Irish, he, like all the other 
inhabitants, contributed his share towards the minister's 
salary. 

In 1740 an attempt was made to lay out what is now 
Fisher Street, but it failed. Mr. Witherton was paid ten 
pounds this year for keeping school, and the following 
assignment of highways made: 

"Isaac Chenery fhould mend the Rooad from bubhng brook along 
by Nathl Gays coming Near John Halls and that Solomon Bullard 
fhould Take care and mend all the other Roads on the North fide of 
Spice brook, and that Ephraim Clark take care, & mend the Road 
beginning at Spice brook that brige and the Road Leading to Eafey 
plain and the Roads in Eafi Plain, and to James Smith beginning at 

[9^] 



the meeting houfe that Road Leading by Left Claps Leading up to 
Jonathan hoydens and that road leading by Bardens and that Road 
leading by peter Fales." 

This year the town again voted not to choose a Repre- 
sentative, giving the reason that they were not quaHfied. 

At the March meeting of 1741, what is now the easterly 
part of East Street was extended as follows: 

"Att the fame meeting the Town Granted a Road from Dedham 
Line to Joseph Carrels land to a road which was formerly Laid out 
Beginning att Dedham Line at a oak stub the north fide of ye Rhoad 
and to a White oak stub, and from thence to a Reid oake stand and to a 
White oake stand and from thence to a white oake Stand and from 
thence to Samuel Aufting and John Pettey to the Land of Jofeph Carrel 
where the Rhoad is all redy Laid out this Rhoad to be two roods wide 
whence Samuel Auftin and Joseph pettey and John pettey Doe give the 
Land for faid Rhoad. This Rhoad Layd out by us the fubfcribers. 

"Capt John Boyden 
"Joseph Hartshorn 
"Leut Joshua Clap." 

At the meeting of May 19, 1741, the town was warned 
to choose for the county its first Register of Deeds. The 
names of Eleazer, and Benjamin Rhoads, afterwards 
well-known citizens of the east part of the town, first 
appear as citizens of the town. 

We are pardoned for holding up our hands when we 
read that in 1742 that old meeting-house is still not quite 
finished, and that the reward for killing squirrels and 
blackbirds will fail to help the matter. The now pretty 
old house was still "going" to be finished two years later. 

In 1744 Peter Lyon is described as the owner of a 

[93] 



grist-mill, and a milestone is noted on the way to the 
Plain "Near Robins paufter bares." 

Seth Clap, Joshua Fisher, and the Widow Kingsbury 
taught school this year, the widow in her own house. 

In 1745 there appears no reference to the Louisburg 
Expedition, joined by the Rev. Thomas Balch of South 
Dedham, but merely this remote entry to fishing: 

"June ye 24, 1745 Affembled the Select men and ordered Ezekiel 
Robins to be our agent to make fearch and fe that there be a Con- 
venient Sluice or pesage throu the pouder mill dam in Milton for the 
fifh to pafs." 

In 1746 deer reaves and town stocks were provided. 

Aqudla Robbins and Mrs. Jeremiah Day taught in the 
schools this year. In 1748 Peter Lyon taught the chil- 
dren of the northeast part of the town and boarded at 
Robert Allen's. 

This year Seth Kingsbury cared for the roads from 
Wrentham "line to the Sign of the Black horfe." 

In 1748 Rachel Wilkinson, Mary Camp, and Rachel 
Fuller were warned out of town, and the warrant returned 
to the clerk of the Quarter Sessions. 

In 1749 Deacon Robbins was granted the privilege of 
changing the stairs in the " weftly end of the meeting houfe 
and to build a Pew at his own Cost." 

In 1749 the Selectmen warned out of "ye town William 
Marfhall and his wife and all his children." 

In 1750 the name of Joseph Coney appears. This 
year the lands of Nathaniel Guild, Nathaniel Pribble, and 
others of Stoughton were joined to the town. In 1752 

[94] 



Ebenezer Bacon had charge of the school at the Centre. 
In 1753 the town warned out of its precincts the widow 
Deliverance Thompson, and the lands of Theodore Mann, 
Jedediah Morse, and James Plimpton were annexed. 

"It was put to ye town whether they would accept of John Roads 
and Stephen Roads to be annexed to the Town of Walpole begining at 
thehornbineintrap hole brook and on sd Brook till it comes to yeCuntry 
Road and upon fd Road to the Southerly fide of high Plain and it was 
voted in the Afirmitive. It was Put to the Town whether they would 
accept of Benjamin Roads William Wright Samuel Bradfhaw William 
Coney and Jofeph Wilkefon Begining at the foutherly Part of ye Country 
Rood upon high plain and from thence with a ftraight Line to the North 
Eaft Corner of Samuel Bradfhaws Land and from thence on the Cuntry 
Road till it comes to a way Leading to the Land of William Coney and 
from thence to the North Eaft Corner of Col. Royals farme, and on fd 
Royals till it comes to Blakes Land from thence a ftraight Line till it 
comes to the North Eaft Corner of Jedidiah Morfes Land and Round fd 
Morfes Land till it comes to Plimpton wefterly bounds of his home Lot 
a ftraight Line North weft till it Comes to the Bound Line Between 
Walpole and Stoughton to be annexed to the Town of Walpole and it 
was Voted in the afermitive." 

In 1753 the name of Jonathan Kendall, namesake of 
one of our streets, first appears. 

"At the meeting of Nov. 2, 1753 it was voted to build one Pue over 
the Men's ftairs and a Nother over the Womens ftairs and a Nother at 
the foot of the Womens ftairs and to fhut up the Alley and Clofe the 
Body of feats and it was Voted in the Afermitive." 

In 1754 the minister, Rev. Phillips Payson, acted as 
school-teacher for the centre of the town. In this year 
Elnathan Boyden, known later as the ensign of Capt. 
Bacon's company, taught school in his father's house. 

[95] 



It was also voted to put another "tear of Gallerys in ye 
Meeting houfe." 

Prices of articles of clothing of the day were given as 
follows: Ebenezer Clap was paid for a pair of shoes for 
Mary Lyon, who, with Peter Lyon, had fallen into 
straitened circumstances, 4 shillings, 8 pence, and Mary 
Fisher, for a " Pettecoat" for the same unfortunate, 8 shil- 
lings, and for a handkerchief 5 shillings. 

The name of Spring or Beaverhole Brook is first used 
in 1755, and the following is given as the bounds between 
the town and the town of Stoughton: 

"A stake and heap of ftones at the Northermoft branch of Trap hole 
Brook about four rods fouth weft from the horn bine tree and from 
thence to a heap of Stones not found fuppofed to be in Roadfes ftone 
wall and from thence to a Maple ftump with ftones about it and 
from thence to a heap of ftones and from thence to a ftake and heap 
of ftones by Deacon Fullers Path and from thence to a heap of 
ftones by Ebenezer Fales Path to his saw mill on the east fide of this 
Path and from thence to a heap of ftones at the ftump of a tree fallen 
and from thence to a Great white oak and from thence to a white oak 
in the Edge of a Swamp and from thence with a straight Line to Spice or 
Spring Brook and then a wet Line to ye Cuntry Road leading from 
Boston to Rhoad iland: and along faid Road to the fouth Eaft Corner of 
Nathl Guild Whome Lot to a heap of ftones Between two Pofts Marked 
W.S. then the Line of the above fd Guild as fhown by him till it comes 
to a White oak marked; and from thence to a Poaft and ftones and from 
thence to a Large Red Oak and from thence to a fmall Brook and upon 
fd Brook, and that to be the Line till it comes to fchool Meadow Brook 
and upon fd Brook untill it comes to birds Lot and upon fd Birds Lot 
wefterly untill it comes to the Northeaft Corner of Enfn Theoadur 
mans Lot and then we lind by fundery acts of the General Court that 
the above fd mans and James Plimpton, Jedidiah Morfe and allfo the 

[96] 



Eftate of Conl Royall of Charlftown Efqr his with their Eftates that 
Lay in ftoughton is annexed to the Town of Walpole." 

In 1756 the town entered in its records the follow- 
ing: 

"Walpole Febry ye 16, 1756 then asfembled ye Select Men and 
Granted out Warrant to warn Pricilla Day other wife Called Pricilla 
Nichols and Her Child called Mary Roads and Jeduthan Bullen to 
Depart out of this Town as the Law Directs." 

This year Seth Kingsbury kept the Easy Plain school 
and Seth Clap kept the winter school at the Centre, and 
the successor of Joseph Carroll, Nicholas Harris, is first 
mentioned. Joshua Clap is allowed £1. gs jp for "Pro- 
viding ye Town ftock of Bullets & flint." An act of the 
town at the February, 1757, meeting to "grant money for 
ye Support of the Nutral French that ye General Court 
fent to this Town," for which ^^^30 was afterwards granted, 
is worthy of mention, as also a payment to Capt. Joshua 
Clap for a half " Barrel of Pouder for ye Town stock," 
for the serious struggle between our settlements and the 
French and Indians was still going on. 

A Mr. "Maafon" was the teacher in the east part of 
the town this year, and the minister's son, Swift Payson 
in the Centre. 

The French refugees referred to wxre quartered at the 
old house of Jeremiah Dexter, near the old burying- 
ground, and the following persons were paid by the town 
in their behalf: Capt. Joshua Clap, Aquilla Robbins for 
firewood and other articles, James Clap for provisions, 
and John Hall for "corn and meet." Some did not sur- 

[97] 



vive their experience here, and, exiled and alone, found a 
too ready grave in the old near-by cemetery. 

The youth having caused a good deal of unnecessary 
trouble in the meeting-house, the town this year "chose 
John Gregory, John Guild, Stephen Felch, Phillip Rob- 
bins and Nathaniel Pribble, to Infpect ye young People 
on ye Lords Days," and we can feel assured that, at least 
for the next Sunday or two, the inspection was pretty 
rigid. 

The Overseers of the Poor, for the first time mentioned, 
are allowed £8 14.^ lOp for what they "Expended on 
the French that ye General Court afigned to this Town." 

There is, also, a general sweeping and cleaning out. 
Ruth Farington, John Gould and his wife Hannah, Jede- 
diah Thomas and Hannah, their three children, Peter 
Allen and his wife "and all their Children," John Macke- 
with and the widow Thorp, by order of the town had to 
emigrate to pastures fresh and new. 

In 1758 the name of Dupee, once so well known on the 
Plain, occurs, when "Charles Duppe is paid three shil- 
lings & four Pence for Labour at ye Meeting houfe." 

That the public may understand somewhat more clearly 
about our early school efforts, so misunderstood, it must 
read the following record: 

"Walpole Feb. ye 14, 1758. Then afsembled ye Select Men and 
Granted out their warrant for a Town Meeting to be on March ye 7 at 
Nine o Clock in the Morning to except of a Prefent from ye Revd Mr. 
Payfon viz ye Land ye fchool houfe ftands upon: for the Town to except 
of a Prefent from Decon Robbins Viz the fchool houfe that he Built 
for ye Towns Ufe." 

[98] 



It is clear that any honor from the Town relating to 
naming our school buildings should first go to the more 
worthy man of the two. This is not the only grave mis- 
take made by our school committee. 

At the following March meeting 

"The Town Excepted of the Prefent that ye Revd Mr Payfon Gave 
to this Town Viz ye Land that ye School houfe ftands on fo long as there 
fhall be a School houfe continued there. Ye Town excepted of ye 
Prefent that Decon Ezekiel Robbins Gave to ye Town viz ye School 
houfe that he Built for ye Town Ufe Viz fo many of ye Inhabitance as 
it will accomodate in the Place it Now ftands, and alfo the Land where 
the Pound is Now Built he freely gave to this Town fo Long as there is 
a Pound Continued there." 

As far as naming the chief public structures in the 
Centre, it looks as though it should be the Payson as well 
as the Robbins Grammar School, as in the east part of 
the town the Allen or the Lewis name on one of its 
school buildings. The naming of public buildings should 
rest on undoubted long-established merit, and not left to 
either the ignorant newcomer or the weak toady. No 
one feels honored by the one or flattered by the other. 
Certainly the High School should have no other name 
than the Walpole High School. 

At the town meeting Dec. 26, 1758, Seth Clap was 
granted five shillings and four pence for making a place 
in the meeting-house to secure the town stock of ammu- 
nition. There is no evidence that the place was in or 
even beneath the pulpit, as sometimes jocosely repre- 
sented. 

There is also something said about "Mr. Naafons 



Petatar Yard " soon after this. It, for years after, served 
as a permanent bound in assignment of highways. 

In 1760 the author's uncle, Seth Bullard, one of our 
first representatives to General Court, and captain of the 
Walpole company that marched on April 19, 1775, took 
the school m the east part of the town. Two years later 
Tabitha Robbins joined the small corps of school-teachers, 
and Samuel Rhoads, his wife, and all their children were 
warned out of town. 

In 1762 a committee was chosen "to fill up Vacient 
feats & feat ye fore feats in ye upper Gallery in ye Meet- 
ing houfe." The town also voted that "ye fchool houfe 
that Deacon Robbins gave to this Town fo many as it 
will acomidate fhould be moved. Provided thofe that it 
will acomodate be at ye charge of Moveing it." 

In 1763 our pastor's son, John Payson, and Mary 
Morse taught our schools. This year mention is made 
of the new doctors. Dr. Ebenezer Dagget, Dr. Fuller, and 
Dr. Locke. Nicholas Harris and Nathan Pond were 
constables. John Needham's name, so well known 
thereafter, is first mentioned, as of the Plain. £16 was 
granted this year for a "wreading and writing School to 
Be laid out by one Mafter in four Places in this Town, 
also ^8 for a Women School." 

In 1764, John Payson, Eleazer Jackson, Esther Boy- 
den, Mary Morse and Tabitha Robbins also taught our 
schools. The highways were worked and repaired by 
"squadrens" at a daily wage of five shillings per man, 
and ten for man and team, and schools kept in houses of 
Deacon Fisher and Ezra Morse. 

[100] 



In 1765 Hephzibah Dexter, probably wife of Jeremiah 
Dexter, taught the Plain school. 

There were made several attempts to choose a "Man 
to tune the Pfalm," but without success. 

In 1767 Stoughtonham, afterwards Sharon, takes the 
place of Stoughton, as Stoughton had taken the place of 
Dorchester, as our easterly boundary. 

In 1766 Mrs. Esther Hancock taught the Centre school, 
and Lydia Smith in the south part of the town, and in 
1767 Ensign Mann, Doctor Daggett and Moses Fales 
were chosen to "Seat ye Lower Gallery Excepting ye 
fore Seat of ye frunt fo as to better accomidate ye Singing 
in ye Time of Publick Worfhip." Moses Fales and Joshua 
Clap, Jr., were also "Chosen to Tune ye Pfalm in ye 
Time of Publick Worfhip." The same year were ordered 
out of town Elizabeth Tinker and Mary Babcock. 

In 1768 appear the following entries: 

"To Eliphlet Ellis what he Paid Enoch Elifes wife for Schooling 
Laft Sumer 135 il^. To Doer Daggett what ye Town Granted him 
for Doctring Ebenr Pettys wife £'^ 195 ii/>. To Nicholas Harris for his 
Daughter keeping fchool by Willets laft fumer the fum of ;^3 45." 

There was a school at Ellis's corner the next winter. 
Benjamin Kingsbury, Sarah Harris, Hannah Partridge, 
and Lydia Mann, taught the same winter. There are 
many mentions of the exacting fines, so common at that 
period, all of which were devoted to the poor. 

Under Sept. 19, 1768, appears this significant entry: 

" Voted that they will Send one Perfon to Join the Committees at 
Faneuil Hall." 

[loi] 



]oshua Clap was chosen. Our first act of patriotism. 

In 1769 appears this item: "To Oliver Clap for his 

providing a Baize Gown for Ebenezer Pettee's wife, 

In 1 770 Ebenezer Allen had charge of the Centre School, 
and John Hall was paid fifty cents a week for boarding 
Mrs. Petty, for years a town charge. 

The mention is often made in the early records of Col. 
Royal's farm, and in 1770 appears the following: 

"Medford April ye 6, 1770 In Conformity to the province Law I am 
now to inform you that I have Let my Farm in Walpote (last in the 
Occupation of Mr. Michael Hatch) unto Mr Noah Edminfter and Mr 
Jofhua Hatch, the first is from Freetown has a Wife Named Louifa 
and five Children (viz) Two Sons and three Daughters. Mr Hatch 
was at Walpole before Introduced there by his Father he has a Wife and 
I think one Child. I Doubt not you will Caufe this my Intelligence to 
be noted in your Town Books. Am Gentleman your humble Servant 

" Isaac Royall." 

Nearly every warrant, since the incorporation of Wal- 
pole as a town, contained an article to see whether the 
town would choose a Representative, but it was always 
voted down, until May 24, 1770, when Joshua Clap, Esq., 
was elected to that office for that year. 

In March, 1772, Aaron Blake and Nathan Pond were 
chosen of the selectmen, and josiah Whittemore, who for 
years had repaired the glass in the meeting-house, and 
John Lewis of the highway surveyors. 

In 1772 the minister of the town, for the first time, is 
offered a resting place while the congregation was tuning 
up. The town then "voted to Build a Seat in the Pulpit 

[ 102] 



for the benefit of Mr. Payson if it is Defired." It is quite 
clear that this accommodation was offered solely on account 
of the minister's advanced age, and that ministerial lazi- 
ness had Httle encouragement in those days. 

This year Sarah Billings, wife of Jonathan Billings, 
taught school at Philip Barden's house, Mary Rhoades 
at the Centre, and Mary Sumner at the east part of the 
town. 

It will be noticed that all references to the Indian 
have long ceased. A hundred years had passed since 
the father of Charles Josiah, our last Indian grantor, 
the powerful but vicious chief of our Indians here, 
during a seven years' war with the Mohawks of the 
West, had been slain, and his defeated braves driven 
back to our shelter at Punkapoag. With his son, their 
chief, under the guardianship of our governor, the tribe 
gradually relinquished war and roving for a quiet, un- 
eventful and gradually decimating life alone by them- 
selves. 



[103] 



CHAPTER VIII 

NOT satisfied with the foregoing minute description 
of the town's activity in our early struggles with 
our enemies, some will ask for more explicit history. In 
1754 the French and the allied Indians, with a claim of 
right, began to eagerly press in upon the borders of our 
little English settlements, all the way from Western Vir- 
ginia, Pennsylvania, New York, to all of New England. 
The English government, the home government, alive to 
its danger and interests, sent over troops which were joined 
by our provincial volunteers, all under English officers. 
Then resulted the disastrous. Braddock campaign in 
which George Washington served with such distinguished 
valor, the Oswego campaign of Governor Shirley, and the 
latter's Crown Point expedition. 

In the latter were a large number of Walpole men, 
both in Capt. William Bacon's company, and in that of 
Capt. Eliphalet Fales. Both captains belonged in Ded- 
ham, the former having been one of the original members 
of the first South Dedham church. The following is 
the roster of the former's company, mustered in May 3, 
1756, and belonging to Col. Richard Gridley's Regiment, 
with interesting description: 

"Capt William Bacon, Dedham; Lieut. Ephraim Jackson, 27 years 

[104] 



old, blacksmith, Roxbury; Ensign Elhanan Boyden, 25 years old, cooper, 
Walpole; Sergt. William Lewis, 32 years old, Dedham; Timothy 
Calahan, 22 years old, Dedham; Asa Semons, 18 years old, Dedham; 
Ephraim Gogin, 39 years old, Dedham; William Smith, 20 years old, 
blacksmith, Walpole; George Cleaveland, 45 years old, blacksmith, 
Walpole; Samuel Kindal, 21 years old, cordwainer, Walpole; William 
Marshall, 42 years old, weaver, Walpole; Jonathan Shepard, 25 years 
old, Bellingham; Thomas Ball, 37 years old, cordwainer, Walpole; Joseph 
Antony, 24 years old, Walpole; Nicholas Buckley, 29 years old, Walpole; 
John Woodcock, 24 years old, Dedham; William Grifis, 22 years old, 
mariner, Walpole; Thomas Balch, 18 years old, Dedham; John Smith, 

20 years old, Walpole; Timothy Lewis, 18 years old, Dedham; Jonathan 
Boyden, 19 years old, Walpole; Ezra Bullard, 20 years old, Dedham; 
John Hooper, 19 years old, bloomer, Walpole; Joseph Morse, 25 years 
old, Dedham; Isaiah Lyon, 18 years old, miller, Walpole; James Weather- 
bee, 21 years old, Dedham; Adam Blackman, 20 years old, blacksmith, 
Walpole; Joseph Whittemore, 21 years old, Dedham; Ebenezer Boyden, 

21 years old, Walpole; John Lewis, 18 years old, Dedham; Caleb Packard, 
20 years old, Bridgewater; Joseph Lyon, 23 years old, Dedham; Daniel 
Leach, 20 years old, Bridgewater; Samuel Laughlin, 22 years old, Boston; 
Ebenezer Pratt, 18 years old, Bridgewater; Ezekiel Morry, 19 years old, 
Boston; Samuel Stacy, 21 years old, Taunton; Samuel Colburn, 22 years 
old, Boston; Philip White, 21 years old, Walpole; Hezekiah Weeks, 
18 years old, Boston; Timothy Gay, 32 years old, Dedham; Moses Felt, 
42 years old, Boston; Obediah Chandler, 19 years old, Boston; William 
Draper, 22 years old, Roxbury; William Ansis, 17 years old, Woburn; 
Nathaniel Blanchard, 2i years old, Roxbury; Timothy Draper, 20 years 
old, Dedham; David Dana, 21 years old, Brookline; Benjamin Ledoit, 
29 years old, Dedham; John Richards, 30 years old, Roxbury; Joseph 
Lee, 22 years old, Dedham; David Fairbanks, 17 years old, Dedham; 
Edward Murfee, 50 years old, Roxbury; Henry demons, 42 years old, 
Dedham; Benjamin Clarke, 35 years old, Medfield; Ichabod Haley, 
42 years old, Dedham; Benjamin King, 34 years old, Medfield; Benjamin 
Holden, 23 years old, Dedham; Hosea Abraham, Natick; John Lindsey, 
23 years old, Dedham; Eleazer Thayer, 24 years old, Medway; 

[ 105 ] 



Joseph Ephraim, 22 years old, Dedham; William Larkin, 25 years old, 
Taunton." 

Of these, Joseph Ephraim and Hosea Abraham were 
Indians, Edward Murfee and Timothy Calahan Irishmen. 

Thomas Balch, who is called a laborer, was the son 
and namesake of Rev. Thomas Balch, the first minister 
of South Dedham. To his father's great sorrow he never 
lived to get home. So also Sergt. William Lewis. They 
both died near Stillwater, New York. The three Lewis 
men were first cousins, and are called volunteers in dis- 
tinction from the hired men. Some of the men had 
served with Captain Bacon during the foregoing winter. 
They were all familiar with Indian warfare like the Lewis 
boys, for they were all mere boys less than twenty years 
of age, with the exception of William who was thirty-two. 
Eighty years before, their great-aunt Lydia Lewis McCloud 
with her husband and two children had been surprised 
outside of the stockade in Lancaster and tomahawked in 
cold blood. They had heard of John Monaco's bold 
assertion, "what me will me do." They had often been 
told of the vain efforts to Christianize and tame Indians 
generally. Perhaps they had heard them ask, as they 
sometimes did, "Does God understand Indian .?" "Why 
does he not kill the Devil ?" "What says a soul when it 
goes to heaven or hell .^" "What do you get by praying .? 
You go naked still and our corn is as good as yours," and 
feh their reformation hopeless. At home they belonged 
to Capt. Joseph Morse's company. Most of the Walpole 
men belonged to that of Capt. Oliver Clap. 

The people here were beginning to take some interest 

[ 106 ] 



in outside matters. There were grievances they found, at 
least, after they had a Representative at General Court, 
and the following record should be carefully noted: 

"Jany ye I2 1773 Voted that it is the opinion of this Town that our 
Rights and liberties are Infringed upon Which is a Great Grievance. 
Voted to Chufe a Committee of five men to prepare a Draft of Inftruc- 
tions for our Reprefentative to be laid before the Town at the ajourn- 
ment of this Meeting Cho-^'e Enfn Seth Bollard, Mr Enoch Ellis Doctr 
Samuel Cheney Mr George Payfon Mr Aquila Robbins for Said Com- 
mittee — then the Meeting was ajourned to fryday to meet again at 
3 o'clock P M, the usual hour for town meeting. 

"At an ajournment of a meeting of the freeholders and other Inhabi- 
tants of the Town of Walpole on the fifteenth Day of Jany, 1773, it was 
put to their Vote to accept of the Report of a Committee that was Chofen 
to Confider of publick Grievances and it paft in the Affirmative. Then 
Voted to have the above Report Recorded in the Town Records, then 
Voted to have a Coppy of fd Report tranfmitted to Joshua Clap Esq. 
our Representative, then voted to have a Coppy of fd Report tranfmetted 
to the Committee of Corrifpondance for the Town of Boston. Then 
the Meeting was Difolved. 

"The Committee Appointed by the Inhabitants of the Town of Wal- 
pole the 1 2th of Jany 1773 to Confider of Publick Grievances report as 
follows: 

"Firft we are Senfible that the Rights and Liberties of the People 
of the American Colonies are invaded and Infringed in many Inftances 
needles to be enumarated being Sufficiantly pointed out already by many 
in this province. Secondly we determine that we will unite with our 
Loyal Brethren in this and other Provinces in any Conftitutional manner 
as shall best appear to procure a Redrefs of our Grievances. Thirdly 
we Inftruct our Reprefentative to promote an Adrefs to his Majesty 
requefting him to repeal Such Acts as to us appear Grievous and that 
he the fd Representative ufe all pofible Precaution that faid Addrefs 
may Reach the Royal Ear. Fourthly, that our Reprefentative Enquire 
into a Report lately Spread Concerning the Dependancy of the Honour- 

[107] 



able Juftices of the Superior Court upon the Crown for Support and to 
act thereon as to him Shall seem Beft in order to prevent the evil thretened 
and likely therefrom to Enfue. Fifthly that if the Judges have not a 
Support from the Province adequate to their Important Stations and 
Services the Said Representative is hereby inftructed to ufe his Influence 
to procure the Same for them. Sixthly we Caution our Repreientative 
a gain ft being perfwaded of the friendly Intentions of any Perion what- 
foever who shall defignedly keep or endeaver to keep in Ignorance the 
People of the province refpecting the Salary of the judges aforefaid. 

" Seth Bullard 
"George Payson 
"Aquilla Robbins 
" Enoch Ellis 
" Saml Cheney." 

The following Items are not very important, but per- 
haps will be a little suggestive to my readers: 

"Feb ye ist 1773 Afsembled the Selectmen and ordered Mr Benja- 
min Kingsbery Town Treafurer to pay to Jofhua Allen for making a 
Coffin for Robert Worfley 6s 8/) To Stephen Felch for Diging a Grave 
for Robbert Worfley 2s Sp." 

It was, a little later, also "voted to build a powder house 
six feet square and six feet between joints, and set it on 
the Widow Robbins' high hill if she consented to it." 

Then follows more of that precious history of the 
Revolutionary struggle for Independence. 

"Under June ye 30, 1774 the Town Voted to Grant the Sum of one 
Pound and four Shillings to be Paid to Mr Thomas Cushen Efqr in 
order to Enable a Committee of Congrefs (Chofen By the Jeneral 
Affembly of this Province) to meet with the Commitees of the other 
Provinces and Collonies in North Emericha. The Town mak Choice 
of Mr Seth Bullard an Agent to Deliver the Sum granted to the above 
Thomas Cufhen at Bofton and to take a Receipt for the same. 

[108] 



"The Town voted that they would act upon the Defire of the Com- 
mittee of Correfpondance for the Town of Bofton Refpecting the im- 
portation of Goods from Great Briton. The Town chofe a Committee 
in order to Draw a form of a Covenant in order to be fubjoined unto. 
The Town Chofe Enoch Elhs Jofhua Clap Esqr Benjamin Kingsbery 
Seth Bullard Samuel Cheney, George Payfon & Theodore man a Com- 
mittee. 

"The Town Voted as an addition to the Town Stock of aminition 
one hundred and fifty Pound weight of Good Gun powder and Bullets 
and flints in Proportion as the Law Directs. The Town Chofe Doc. 
Samll Cheney to Provide the above Granted Amminition. 

"Auguft ye 29, 1774 The Town Chofe three Deligats to meet the 
Committees of the other Towns in the County in order to Confult what 
meafures is Proper to be taken for the Safty of the Country. The Town 
made Choice of Mr Nath Guild Mr Enoch Ellis and Doctr Samuell 
Cheney as Delegats to Reprefent the Town at the County Convention 
to be held at Mr Woodwards at Dedham the Sixt Day of September 
Next and at other Conventions from time to time During the Towns 
Pleafure." 

During this year Lois Gould and Judith Farrington 
were our school-teachers. 

"Sept 26 1774 the Town Chofe a Committee to Give our Reprefenta- 
tive Inftructions on Behalf of the Town the sd Committee Confisting 
of three Men (viz): Mr Nathl Guild, Capt Seth Kingfbery and Jofhua 
Clap Esqr. for the Purpofe above fd — (2) it was Voted that our 
Reprefentative Joyn in and with a Provincial Congrefs to be held 
where the Provincial Congrefs fhall apoint, and if the Cafe Should not 
admit that the fd Reprefentatives Could attend faid Congrefs the Town 
made Choice of Mr Nathl Guild to reprefent the Town at sd Congrefs. 

"(3) the Town voted that they would Purchaf Two field Peices (4) 
the Town made choice of Mr Benjamin Kingfbery Capt Ebenezer Clap 
and Enfign Theodore man as a Committee in Behalfe of the Town to 
Purchas fd field Peices. 

"Sept 30, 1774 (2ly) The Town voted to Choofe a Committee of 

[109] 



Correfpondence to Joyn with the Committees of other Towns in this 
Province Confifting of five men (Viz): Mr Nath Guild, Capt Seth Kingf- 
bery, Enfn Theodore Man Capt Ebenezer Clap and Jofeph Day then 
this meeting was ajourned to fuch time af the above fd Committee shall 
apoint by aplying to the Town Clerk. 

"The following Inftructions tor our Reprefentatives, as we have 
Chofen you to Reprelent us in the Great and General Court to be holden 
at Salem on Wednefday the fifth Day of October Next Enfewing we Doe 
hereby Inftruct you that in all your Doings as a member of the Houfe 
of Reprefentatives you adhere firmly to the Charter of this Province 
Granted by their Majesties King Willm and Q_ueen Mary and that you 
Do no act that Can Pofibly be Conftrued into an Acknowledgment of 
the Act of the Britifh Parliment for Altering the Government of the 
Maffachufetts Bay. More Efpecially, that you acknowledge the 
Honourable Board of Counfelers Elected by the General Court at their 
Seffions in May Laft (1774) as the only Rightfull and Conftitufional 
Council of this Province; We Do hereby Inftruct and Impower you to 
Join with the Members who may be Sent from this and the other Towns 
in this sd Province; and to meet with them at a time to be a Greed on in a 
Generall Provincial Congrefs to act upon Such matters as may concern 
you in fuch a manner as may appear to you moft Conducive to the 
true Intent of Intreft of this Town, and Province and moft likely to 
Preferve the Liberties of all North America. In General the above 
Inftructions were Voted at the ajournment of a meeting of the Inhabi- 
tants Sept ye 30, 1774." 

This was followed by several adjournments and then 
appears the following: 

"At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town December ye 19, 1774 
(on ajournment from the fifth Day of November 1774) it was Voted that 
they would Comply with the Method Prepofed by the Provintial Con- 
grefs for the more efl^ectual Carrying into Execution the Ailociation of 
the Continental Congrefs. (2) the Town Voted that they would Comply 
with what the Continental Congrefs Refolved in 14 articles as they are 
fpecifyed in the Publick Prints. 

[no] 



"(3) The Town Voted to Choofe a Committee of Infpection Con- 
fifting of Seven Men (viz): Doctr Samll Cheney, Mr Enoch Ellis, Mr. 
Nicholas Harris, Mr John Boyden Mr Phillip Robins Enfn Theodore 
Man and Mr Nathaniel Guild. 

"(4) The Town Voted that they would Indemnify the Selectmen 
or Affeffors for Not making a Return of the Alseffment of the Provincial 
Rate to Harrifon Gray Esqr. (5) The Town Voted that they would 
Indemnify their Conltables in their Staying the Province Rate to Henry 
Gardner Efqr. 

"At a meeting of the Tov/n Decembr 30, 1774 By an ajournment of a 
meeting the fifth of November, the Town Voted to Send one Deligat to 
Reprefent the Town at a Provintial Congrels, and Mr Enoch Ellis was 
Chofen for the above Purpole. 

"(2) it was Voted to Grant to Doer Samll Cheney the Sum of Twenty 
four Pounds for his Providing Amunition for the Town. Captt. Seth 
Bullard, Mr Aquilla Robbins, Mr George Payfon, Captt jofeph Hartf- 
horn; Mr Jofeph Day; Jofhua Clap jr. Captt Jeremiah Smith; Mr 
Aaron Blake, and Mr John Lewis were Chofen as an addition to the 
above Committee of Infpection and See how would Provid wood for the 
Suffering Induitrus Poor in the Town of Bofton." 

On Dec. 30, 1774, the town voted: 

"that one Qiiarter Part of the Traning Band Soldiars Should be 
Inlifted in the Province Service to be Ready at a minutes warning, 
(andly) the above fd minit men should be Paid out of the Town Treafury 
Two Shillings PrDay for Each Day the above fd soldiars Shall be Called 
Together and shall be Exercized in the Military art or Difipline. (3ly) 
the Town Chofe Mr Willm Fifher, Esqr Clap and Capt Seth Kingfbery 
as a Committee To Say and Determine how often the above fd minit 
men Shall be called together to be Exercized and also to Determine how 
many hours fd men Shall Train in one Day; the above Committee to 
Vew the above fd Soldiars to fee whether they Bee able Boided men. 
5ly the Town granted the fum of Twenty Pounds for the Encouragement 
of the above fd minit men to be Paid as above fd. 61y the Town Voted 
that the Before Recited 14 Articles of the Refolves of the Contintial 

[1,1] 



Congrefs fhould be Recorded in the Town Book of Records by the 
Town Clerk." 

This is followed by this interesting record, the orthog- 
raphy of which can easily be overlooked, like that of the 
preceding, in its importance in showing that our town 
early assumed the burden true patriotism always brings: 

"At a meeting of the Town of Walpole December ye 19, 1774 By an 
ajournment ot a meeting November ye 5th, 1774, it was Voted that the 
fourteen articles of the affociation of the Grand American Congrefs 
that met at Philidelpha the fifth of September Laft should be Entered 
on the Town Books as followeth : 

"We his Majestys mo ft Loyal Subjects the Delegats of the Several 
Colonies of New hampshire, Maffachufetts Bay, Rhode Ifland, Coneti- 
cut, New York, New Jarfey, Penfylvania, the three Lower Counties of 
Newcaftel; Kent, Suffex, on Dellewere, Maryland, Virginia, North 
Carolina South Carolinia, Deputed to Reprelent them in a Continantl 
Congreis held at Philadelphia on the fifth of September 1774 avowing 
our Ellegiance to his Magefty our affection and Regard for our fellow 
Subjects in Great Britan and elfewhere when affected with the Deepeft 
anxiety and moft alarming apprehentions at thofe Grievances and 
Diftreifes with which his Majelty's American Subjects are oppreffed, 
and having taken under our mouft ferious Deliberation, the State of the 
Whole Continent, find that the Prefent unhappy Situation of our affairs 
is occalioned by a Ruinous syltem of Colony adminiftration adopted 
by the Britifh Miniftry about the year 1763, evidently Calculated for 
Enflaving thefe Colonies, and with them the Britilh Empire in profe- 
cution of which Syltem, various Acts of Parliment have been Paffed 
for Raifing a revenue in America for Depriving the American Subjects 
in many initances of the Conftitutional trial by jury Expofing their 
Lives to Daingers by Directing an Illegal trial beyond the Seas for 
Crimes alledged to have been Commited in America; and in Profecu- 
tion of the same Syftem, several Late Cruel and oppreffive acts have 
Been Paffed refpecting the Towns of Bofton and the Maffachufetts Bay, 

[112] 



and alfo an Act for Extending the Province of Quebec fo af to border 
on the Weftern frontier of thefe Colonies. EftabHfhing an arbitrary 
Government therein a Difcouraging the Settlement of Britifh Sub- 
jects in that Wide and Extended Country thus by the Influence of Civil 
Principels and ancient Prejudices to Difpofe the Inhabitants to act 
with Hoftility againft the free Proteftant Colonies whenever a wicked 
Miniftry shall Chofe to Direct them. To obtain redrefs of thefe Griev- 
ances which Threaten Deftruction to the Lives Libertys and Property 
of his Majestys Subjects in North America, we are of opinion that a 
Non importation Nonconfumption and Non-exportation agreement 
faithfully adheared to will Prove the moft ready effectual and Peacable 
meafure, and therefore we Do for ourfelves and the Inhabitants of the 
Several Colonies whom we Reprefent firmly agree and affociate under 
the Sacred ties of Virtue, honour and Love of our Country as follows: 
"(ily) That from and after the firft Day of December Next we will 
not import into Britifh America from Great Britain or Ireland any 
Goods, Wears or merchandize as shall have Been exported from Great 
Britain or Ireland, nor will we After that Day import any Eaft India Tea 
from any Part of the world; nor any metalls. Syrups, Paneles, Coffee or 
Piementos from the Britifh Plantations or from Dominica, nor Wines 
from Madeira or the Weftern I Hands nor foreign Indigo. 

"(2ly) That we will neither import nor Purchafe any Slaves imported 
after ye firft Day of December next after which Time we will wholy 
Difcontinue the Slave trade, and will Neither be Concerned in it our- 
felves nor will we hire our Veffels, nor sell our Commodities or Manu- 
factures to thofe that are Concerned in it. 

"S'y) as a nonconfumption agreement Strictly adherred to will be an 
effectual Security for the obfervation of the non importation, we as above 
folemnly agree and affociate that from this Day we will not Purchafe 
or ufe any Tea imported on account of the Eaft India Company or any 
on which a Duty hath been or fhall be Paid; and from and after the 
firft Day of March next, we will not Purchafe or ufe any Eaft India tea 
whatever nor will we, nor fhall any Perfon for or under us Purchas, or 
ufe any Goods, wares, or merchandize we have agreed not to import, 
which we shall know or have Caufe to Sufpect, were imported after 

[113] 



the firft Day of December, Except fuch as Come under the Rules and 
Directions of the tenth article hereafter mentioned. 

"4ly) the Erneft Defire we have not to injure our fellow Subjects in 
Great Brition, Ireland or the weft Indies induceis us to Sulpend a non 
Exportation untill the tenth Day of September 1775; at which tim.e if the 
sd acts and Parts of acts of the Britifh Parliament herein after men- 
tioned, are not Repealed, we will not Directly or indirectly export any 
merchandize or Commodity whatsoever, to Great Britain Ireland or 
the Welt Indies except Rice to Europe. 

"5ly) Such merchants as ufe the Britifh Trade and Irifh Trade, will 
Give orders as foon as Poffible to their factors, agents and Correfpon- 
dents in Great Britain and Ireland not to ship any Goods to them, or 
any Produce whatfoever, as they cannot be Received in Amanca; and it 
any merchant refiding in Great Britain or Ireland, Shall Directly or 
indirectly Ship any Goods, wares or merchandize for Amarica in order 
to Break the fd non importation agreement or in any manner Contro- 
vene the Same on fuch unworthy Conduct being well attefted it ought to 
be made Publick and on the fame Being fo Done we will not from 
thenceforth have any Commercial Connection with such merchant. 

"61y) That such as are owners of Vefels Shall Give Pofitive orders 
to their Captain or mafters not to Receive on Bord their Vefels any 
Goods Prohibitted By the faid non-importation agreement upon Pain 
of immediate Difmition from their Service. 

"7ly) We will ufe our utmoft Endeavours to improve the Breed of 
Sheep and Increas their Numbers to the Greateft Extent, and to that 
end we will Kill them as Spairingly as may be efpeciely thofe of the molt 
Profitable Kind nor will we Export any to the weft Indies or elfe where, 
and thofe of us who are or may become over Stocked with or can con- 
veniently fpare any Sheep will Difpofe of them to our Neighbours 
efpecialy to the Gouverment. 

"81y) that we will in our Severall Relations encourage frugality 
oeconomy and induftry; and Promote agriculture, arts and manufac- 
tures of this Country, efpecially that of Woole; and will Difcountenanc 
and Difcourag every fpecies of Extravagance and Diliipation efpecialy 
all horfe Racing and all Kinds of Gaiming, Cock fighting exhibitions of 

[114] 



fhewes, Plays and other Expenfive Diverfions and Entertainments, 
and on the Death of any Relation or friend None of us or any of our 
famiHes, will go into any further mourning Drefs than a Black Crape or 
Ribbon on the arm or hat for Gentlemen and a Black Ribbon and Neck 
lace for Ladies, and we will Difcontinue the Giving of Gloves and 
Scarfs at funerals. 

"gly) That fuch as are Venders of Goods, or merchandize will not 
take advantage of the Scarcity of Goods that may be occafioned by the 
Affociation, but will sell the same at the Rate we have Been Refpec- 
tively accuftomed to do for Twelve months La ft Pa ft and if any Vender 
of Goods or Merchandize shall sell any Such Goods on higher terms or 
shall in any Manner, or by any Device whatfoever Violate or Depart 
from this Agreement, no Perfon ought nor will any of us Deal with any 
such Perfon, or his or her factor or agent at any time hereafter for any 
Commodity whatever. 

" loly) In Cafe any merchant, trader, or any other Perfon shall Im- 
port any Goods or Merchandize after the firft Day of December, and 
before the firft day of February next, the same ought fourthwith at the 
Election of the towns to be Either Re-fhiped or Delivered up to the 
Committee of the County or town wherein they fhall be Imported to 
be Stored at the rifque of the Importer untill the Non-importation agree- 
ment Shall Ceafe; or be Sold under the Direction of the Committee 
aforefaid, and in the Laft mentioned Cafe the owner or owners of fuch 
Goods Shall be reimburfed out of the Sales the firft Coft and Charges, 
the Profits, if any, to be applied towards relieving and imploying Such 
Poor Inhabitants of the Town of Bofton as are immediate sufferers 
by the Bofton Port Bill, and a Perticular account of all Goods so Re- 
turned, Stored or Sold to be in farted in the Public Papers; and if any 
Goods or Merchandize fhall be imported after the faid firft Day of 
February Next the Same Ought forthwith to be Sent Back again, with- 
out Breaking any of the Packings thereof. 

" Illy) that a Committee be Chofen in every County, City and Town 
by thofe who are Qualified to Vote for Reprefentative in the Legiflature 
whofe Buifinefs it Shall be attentively to obferve the Conduct of all 
Perfons touching the Affociation and when it shall be made to appear 

[115] 



to the Satiffaction of a Majority of any Such Committee that any Per- 
fon within the Limits of their appointment hath Viohited this affociation 
that Such Majority forthwith Caufe the Truth of the Cafe to be Pub- 
hlhed in the Gazetee, to the End that as Such foes to the Rights of 
Britiih America may be Publickly known, and univerfally Contemned 
as the Enemies of American Liberty and thenceforth we Refpectively, 
will break off all Dealings with him and her. 

"i2ly) that the Committee of Correlpondance in the Refpective 
Colonies Do frequently infpect the Cuitom houfes and Inform each 
other from time to time of the true State thereof, and of every other 
Material Circumftance that may occurr relative to this affociation. 

"ijly) That all Manufactures of this Country be Sold at Reafon- 
able Prices, that no undue advantage be taken of a future Scarcity of 
Goods. 

"i4ly) and we do further agree and Refolve that we will have no 
Trade Commerce, Dealings or Intercourfe whatfoever with any Colony 
or Province in North America which shall Exceed to, or which Shall 
hereafter Violate this affociation. But will hold them as unworthy of 
the rights of freedom and as inimical to the Liberties of their Country. 
And we Do Solemnly bind our felves and our Conftituents under the 
ties aforefaid to adheer to this affociation, untill Such Parts of the 
Several Acts of Parliament Paffed Since the Clofe of the Laft war, as 
impoft or Continual duties on Tea, wine, Molaffes, Syrups, Paneles, 
Coffee, Sugar, Piemento, Indigo, foreign Paper, Glafs, and Painters 
Colours, imported into America, and extend the Powers of Admiralty 
Courts beyond their ancient limits. Deprive the American Subject 
of trial by jury, authorize the Judges Certificate to Indemnify the Profe- 
cutor from Damages, That he might otherwife be Liable to from trial 
by his Peers, Require oppreffive Security from a Claimant of Ships or 
Goods Seized before he shall be allowed to Defend his Property, are 
Repealed and untill that Part of the Act of the 12G. 3, Chap 24, en- 
titled 'An Act for the Better Securing his Majeftys Dock yards, Maga- 
zines, Ships, Ammunition, and Stores, by which any Personf Charged 
with Committing any of the offences therein Defcribed in America may 
be tried in any Shire or County within the Realm, is Repealed, and 

[116] 



untill the four Acts Faffed in the La ft feffion of ParHment, Viz: that for 
Stopping the Port and Blocking up the harbor of Bofton. That for 
altering the Charter and Goverment of the Maffachufetts Bay. And 
that which is entitled 'An Act for the Better adminiftration of Juftice 
&c.' and that 'for extending the Limits of Quebec &c,' are Repealed, 
and we Recommend it to the Provintial Conventions and to the Com- 
mittees in the Refpective Colonies to Eftablifh such further Regulations 
as they may think Proper for Carrying into Execution this Affociation. 
The foregoing Affociation being Determined upon by the Congrefs 
was ordered to be Subfcribed by the Several members thereof and there- 
upon we have hereunto set our Refpective names accordingly. In 
Congrefs Philadelphia October 20, 1774. Signed Peyton Randolph, 
Prefident. For New Hampfhire John Sulivan, Nath Folfom. Maffa- 
chufetts Bay: Thomas Cufhing, Samll Adams, John Adams, Robert 
Treat Pam. Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, Samll Ward. Con- 
necticut: Eliphalet Dyer, Roger Sherman, Silas Deane. New York: 
Ifaac Low, John Alfop, John Jay, James Duane, Willm Floyd, Henrey 
Wifner, S Boerum. New Jersey: James Kin fly, Wm Livingfton, 
Stephen Crane, Richard Smith. Pennfylvania: Joseph Galloway, John 
Dickinfon, Charles Humphreys, Thomas Miflin, Edward Biddle, 
John Morton, George Rofs. New Caftle &c: Czesar Rodney, Thomas 
McKean, George Rodgers. Virginia: Richard Henrey Lee, George 
Wafhington, P Henry Jun, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrifon, Edmond 
Pendleton. North Carolina: Willm Hooper, Jofeph Hewes, R. Caf- 
well. South Carolina: Henry Middleton, Thomas Lynch, Chriftopher 
Gad fen, John Rutledge, Committee." 

At the March meeting, 1775, Jo^n Lewis was chosen 
constable, and Isaac Lewis, Isaac Smith, and Aaron Clap 
sworn into office. Isaac Lewis and Richard Hartshorn 
were highway surveyors also in 1776. 

Several town meetings were held before and after the 
Battle of Concord and Lexington, but no mention is made 
of any unusual anxiety, although Capt. Seth BuUard had 

[■17] 



led his company of Walpole men in the six days' service 
there; but at the first meeting after that memorable event 
the record runs thus: 

"May ye lO, 1775 Then Afsembled the Select men and ordered Mr 
Benjamin Kingfbery Town Treafurer or Succefsor to Pay the Several 
Perfons hereafter Named the Several Sums annexed to their Names as 
followeth: 

"to Levi Lindley a minute man the fum of 14 o in full, 
"to John Laurance a minute man the fum of o 06 o in Part. 
"to Elias Man a minute man the fum of o 06 o in Part. 
"to Peter Lyon a minute man the fum of o 14 o in full, 
"to Daniel Morfe a minute man the fum of o 14 o in full, 
"to Jeremiah Smith a minute man the fum of o 12 o in full, 
"to James Fales Jr a minute man the fum of o 13 o in full, 
"to Benjamin Carrell a minute man the fum of o 12 o in full, 
"to Andrew Willett a minute man the fum of o 14 o in full." 

In June Enoch Ellis received 14^^ for his service on the 
same occasion. There were many others still unpaid. 
James Clap received 14^ for seven days' training; David 
Farrington 12s. June 2, 1775, Enoch EUis was chosen 
delegate to represent the town at the "Congress to be 
held at Waterton for Six months next Enfuing." 

This is followed by another grant for the urgent military 
service impending. 

"At a Meeting of the 2nd of June 1775 the Town Voted to Raife 
fifty men as minute men and the Town granted four Shillings per Day 
for their Incoragement, and at a meeting on the tenth Day of July 1775 
the Town Negatived the above sd vote and fo concluded not to Put any 
men under Pay more than were Lifted already." 

This can only be explained by the fact that already a 

[118] 



large number were in service. Capt. Seth BuUard, with 
his Walpole company, at least, was m service, as appears 
from the following: 

"At a meeting of the Town of Walpole Leagally Affembled at the 
Meeting houfe July lo, 1775 the Town made Choice of Mr Benjamin 
Kingsbery to Reprefent the Town at the Great and General Court to 
be held at Watertown, the twentyith firft Day of this Inftant July, and 
at two o'clock the 3d Day the Towne made Choice of Deacon Benjn 
Kingsbery for a Select man in the Room of Captt Seth Bullard now 
in the Army at Roxberry. The Town made choice of Captt jofeph 
Hartfhorn for a Committee man of Correfpond in the Room of Coll. 
Ebenezer Clap now in the army." 

Several payments for "bullet bags" now appear, an 
Item of a "wmding sheet," and one showing the term of 
Representative usually lasted 106 days. 

At the March meeting of 1776, among the selectmen 
chosen were "Col. Seth Kingsbury, Major Seth Bullard," 
and "Capt. Jeremiah Smith," showing promotion for their 
late military service. As a Committee of Correspondence, 
Inspection, and Safety, Capt. Joseph Hartshorn, Enoch 
Ellis, Lieut. John Boyden, Nicholas Harris, and Nathan 
Kingsbury were chosen. Jacob Clap, Benj. Boyden, 
Henry Smith, Jr., Jacob Gay, Isaac Lewis, and Richard 
Hartshorn were chosen surveyors of highways, Joshua 
Allen tithingman, and Samuel Copp and Abel Allen field 
drivers. In the April following the town voted to use its 
efforts to have a registry of deeds and judge of probate 
in every town. 

The names of Capt. Seth BuUard's Walpole Company, 
serving on the march to Concord and Lexington, are as 

[119] 



follows. (It should be remembered that out of a population 
oi less than eight hundred, we sent one hundred and 
fifty-seven men, who, on the beat of the alarm drum on 
that glorious morning, followed Seth Bullard over the 
fields to Concord. Their course was through Medfield, 
Dover, and Sherborn. Two companies, with twenty-five 
who joined a Medfield Company, formed our patriotic 
contribution to that noble beginning of our strugp-le for 
mdependence.) 

A Muster Roll of a Militia Company in Walpole in Coll John 
Smiths Regt. marched in consequence of the alarm Apr. 19 
1775 

Seth Bullard, Capt., Elipht Ellis, Lieut, Enoch Ellis, Enfign, Samuel 
Smith, Sergt., Thomas Ritter, Sergt., Henry Partridge, Sergt., Eben Gay, 
Corp., Nathaniel Nason, Corp., Ebenezer Hartfhorn, Corp., Aaron 
Clark Fales, Fifer, Jotham Morse, Eleazer Partridge, Ezekiel Boyden, 
Benoni Morse, John Ellis, Moses Ellis, Jacob Kingsbery, Seth Kings- 
bery, John Boyden, Richard Hartshorn, Henry Smith, Jr., Solomon 
Kingsbery, Asa Ellis, Jacob Gould, Calvin Gay, Jabez Boyden, John 
Hartshorn, Bezalel Turner, Ziba Baker, Ebenezer Day, Samuel Thomp- 
son, James Clap, Jacob Clap, Elisha Hall, Eliphalet Ellis, Joseph 
Boyden, Samuel Guild, Joseph Guild, Ebenezer Farrington, William 
Pettee, Josiah Whittemore, Obadiah Morse, Nathaniel Gay, Benjamin 
Kingsbery, Ebenezer Fales, John Gregory, John Lewis, Abner Turner, 
Nicholas Harris, Joseph Kingsbury, Samuel Boyden, Ebenezer Far- 
rington, Jr, Thomas Howard, Josiah Hall, Seth Hart, Elihu Lawrence, 
Moses Chamberlain, Asa Kingsbery, Isaiah Lyon, Amos Ramsdale, 
Samuel Rhodes, Joshua Hews, John Day, John Boyden, Samuel Cheney, 
George Payson, Seth Payson. 

The twenty-five Walpole men in Capt. Sabin Mann's 
Medfield Company were Joshua Clap, Lieutenant, Wil- 

[120] 



Ham Bacon, Ensign, Benjamin Carroll, Benjamin Pettee, 
Jeremiah Boyden, Jeremiah Smith, Ichabod Reed, Samuel 
Hartshorn, Elias Mann, James Fales, Willabor Nason, 
Amos Turner, Seth Clap, Samuel Fuller, Joshua Clap, 
3d, David Farrington, James Smith, David Morse, Peter 
Lyon, Abel Baker, Abiel Pettey, Stephen Fuller, Joseph 
Day, John Laurence, Stephen Dexter. This one hun- 
dred and fifty-seven men must have taken nearly all the 
able-bodied men in town. 

A Muster Roll of Capt. Jeremiah Smith Co. in Coloneys Ser- 
vice WHICH marched from Walpole, Dec. 4, 1775, in Coll. 
John Smiths Regiment 

Walpole, December ye 4, 1775 
Jeremiah Smith, Capt. Philip Robbins, Lieut.,. John Boyden, 2nd 
Lieut., OHver Clap, Sergt., Benjamin Hartshorn, Sergt., Ebenezer Fales, 
Sergt., Abel Allen, Sergt., Jeremiah Fales, Corp., Elijah Plympton, 
Corp., Ichabod Clap, Corp., Aaron Fales, Fifer Timothy Man, Joseph 
Ellis, Jonathan Boyden, Jeremiah Blake, Asa Page, Joshua Allen, 
Samuel Copp, Joseph Tucker, Aaron Morse, Aaron Blake, Joseph 
Fales, Eliphalet Fales, Edward Cleaveland, Joshua Boyden, Timothy 
Cudwerth, George Cleaveland, Matthias Puffer, Samuel Allen, Charles 
Page, Moses Fales, Benjamin Man, Joseph Carroll, Jr., Nathaniel 
Guild, Jr., Fisher Hartshorn, Ebenezer Page, Joseph Page, Thomas 
Nason, Elijah Clap, Asa Plimpton, Jonathan Carrill, Christopher 
Smith, Timothy Hartshorn, John Dexter, Jonathan Kindall, John 
Cleaveland, Thomas Page, Eliphalet Clap, Moses Fales, Jr., John 
Frizzel, Elijah Lyon, David Boyden, Jeremiah Dexter, Thedore Man, 
Asa Fisher, Abiather Fales, Jonathan Boyden, Jr., Abner Guild, Ebenezer 
Clap Jr., Eleazer Clap, Aaron Farrington, Philip Bardens Jr., Joseph 
Man, Jonathan Dexter. 

Capt. Aaron Guild, later in the Revolutionary War, 
with a company of Walpole men, helped to construct 

[121] 



Washington's Dorchester Heights' entrenchments, which so 
completely commanded the British-ridden town of Boston, 
that it was evacuated by the enemy without delay. 

Capt. Clap, also, led a company of Walpole in de- 
fence of our coast at Warwick, Rhode Island. Besides 
these, many continued to join the ranks of our struggling 
army, and it would be interesting to read of their varied 
experiences. 

An artillery man from Walpole who served under Gen- 
eral Washington when he crossed the Delaware, and later 
at the battle of Monmouth, where Moll Pitcher, after 
the fall of her husband, seized his swab and continued to 
serve his field-piece to the end of that hotly contested 
engagement, was reported to have grasped a cannon which 
had been dismounted, and so hot that it burnt through to 
his very flesh, and unaided, amid the wild cheers of his 
smoke-begrimed comrades, set it in position again and 
continued firing. 

This epoch of our Revolutionary history, which seems to 
us so full of glory and success, was a far different matter to 
our forefathers. Poverty, sickness, ruin, and death were 
common attendants at every fireside. Even until the 
breaking out of the 1812 war there was hardly a reprieve. 

"A Muster Roll of Capt. Oliver Clap's Company, Col.Wheelock 
Regt., on alarm Dec. 8, 1776 at Warwick., R. I. 

Capt. Oliver Clap, Lieut. Ebener Fales, Serg. Asa Fisher, Serg. David 
Cleaveland, Corp. Benjamin Hawes, Corp. Samuel Copp, Abiathar 
Fales, Samuel Allen, Joshua Allen, Abel Allen, Jonathan Boyden, 
John Boyden, Eliphalet Clapp, Seth Clapp, Jr., Jacob Clap, Joseph 
Ellis, Asa Ellis, Jonathan Fales, Joseph Fales, Nathaniel Guild, Amos 

[122] 



Morse, Joseph Man, Thomas Page, Charles Page, Asa Plympton, John 
Smith, John Smith, Jr., Ehphalet Smith, Joseph Tucker, Abner Gould. 

Vol. Ill, P. i6. Pay Roll Capt. Timothy Man's Co. Alarm 
July 17, 1780, Rhode Isd. 

Timothy Mann, Capt., Benjamin Pettee, Lieut., Richard Hartshorn, 
Serg., Joseph Carroll, Serg., Asa Kingsbury, Sergt., Eliphalet Ellis, 
Sergt., Jacob Kingsbury, Corp., Joseph Mann, Corp., Abiathar Pales, 
Corp., John Smith, Corp., Joseph Page, Phineas Boyden, Aaron Blake, 
Elijah Boyden, William Bacon, Thaddeus Clap, Asa Clap, David Day, 
Joseph Ellis, Daniel Farrington, Calvin Gay, Alpheus Lyon, Libeas 
Page, Daniel Robbins, Oliver Smith, Riol Smith, Samuel Smith, George 
Talbott, Billing Clap, Asa Fisher, Joseph Boyden, Eliphalet Clap, Amos 
Kingsbury, Moses Smith, Joseph Turner, Samuel Allen, William Clap, 
William Marshall, John Marshall, Otis Partridge, Christian Smith. 
Nathan Turner, Nathaniel Bradshaw, Benjamin Hartshorn. 

WaLPOLE men 6 MOS MEN, I780. 

Levi Lindley, Joseph, Jackson, Joseph Pitchin, Daniel Morse, John 
Neal, Ebenr Farrington, John Merriam, Eliphalet Clapp, Abner Gould, 
Aquilla Cheney, Elisha Lavi^rence, David Turner, Charles Stebehen, 
James Stebehen, Nathan Pond, Benjamin Pettee, Samuel Hartshorn, 
Jesse Hartshorn. 

The records go on, "May ye lo, 1776, it was voted that 
the Selectmen take particular care that the Burying Place 
be not fed." At this time every section of the town had its 
school, the centre, east and south receiving about £6, the 
north ;^5 lOi, and the west £1 31, of the school money. 

The town also voted "to agree with Dr. Gerald about 
setting up Innoculation for the Small Pox at the houfe of 
Micah Baker, and made choice of Mrfs. Geo. Payson & 
John Lewis to set in the upar Gallery in ye Meeting houfe 

[123] 



to prevent ye Children playing at meeting." It was also 
voted, and here for the first time dollars are mentioned, 
"that 50 Dollars should be reconed a whole term for the 
prefent Campain at Canady"; also "voted that Majr. 
BuUard should take the money which was subfcribed to 
raife men, and hire men therewith if Opportunity should 
Offer at 50 Dollars per Man." 

At the October meeting, at which Major Seth BuUard 
presided, appears the following most important and inter- 
esting action for a State Constitution: 

"2ly Voted that the prefent Houfe of Reprefentatives of this State, 
together with the Council, if they confent in one Body with the Houfe, 
and by equal Voice should Confult & agree on such a Conftitution & 
form of Government for their state as the fd Houfe of Reprefentitives 
& Council as aforefaid on the fuUeft and moft mature Deliberation 
shall Judge will moft conduce to the Safty, Peace & Happinefs of this 
State Provided they will direct that the same be made Publick for the 
Inspection and Perufal of said Town before the Ratification thereof 
by said Afsembly." 

Every Walpole man should appreciate this early, wise 
and worthy declaration of political principle. 
Immediately following appears this: 

"Voted to chufe a Commttee confifting of 5 Perfons to Examine 
what every one has done in the Town in the War. And Major BuUard, 
Mr Nathan Guild, Benj Kingsbury, Mr Enoch Ellis and Capt. Jeremiah 
Smith were chofen." 

Under Nov. 4, 1776, appears "to Mr. Jacob Mann for 
keeping school," "to Mr. Enoch Ellis for his wives keeping 
school, and alfo to pay to Mr. jona Boyden the sum of 



three shillings & eight pence for Helving 14 Axes for the 
Ufe of this State." 

In 1777 it was "voted that the Men that served the 
Continent & State at Roxbury & the Places adjacent 
should be allowed 13 shillings & 4 pence per month & 
that the men that served at N. York & Ticonderoga 
should be allowed 3 Pounds per month - that the men 
that went to Warwick should be allowed 13 shillings & 
4 Pence per month." 

It becoming almost impossible to procure soldiers, the 
town raised its offer as follows: "Voted to give 14 Pounds 
in addition to what the Congrefs and General Court had 
granted to who should Inli ft before ye ist of March, 1777." 
The town had to borrow this bounty money. 

At the March meeting in 1777 it was "Voted that there 
be granted 13 6 8 pr Year to Each able Bodied affective 
Soldiar that shall Inlift into the Continental Service for 
three years (viz.), 13 6 8 at the Time of his Pafsing 
mufter for the town of Walpole; and the Like Sum of 
13 6 8 at the Entring of the Second year; and 13 6 8 at 
the Entring of the Third Year. Provided that fd Soldiar 
be in Immediate Service at Each term Before mentioned; 
Provided that fd Soldiar shall InHft within one month 
from this 17th Day of March Inftant." In May of the 
same year a committee was chosen to "Notify the South 
Part of the Mail Inhabitants of this Town to meet at the 
Meeting Houfe the 15th Day of this Inftant May at eight 
o'clock in the forenoon Compleat with arms lite for View- 
ing." Deacon Benjamin Kingsbury was chosen to "Rep- 
refent the Town in the Great and General Court this year." 



June i6, 1777, the town voted to purchase a brass field 
piece, four-pounder. 

In September, 1777, the town voted to unite the two 
Walpole miHtia companies into one, with Ohver Clap 
Captain, Timothy Mann First Lieutenant, Andrew Willett 
Second Lieutenant. 

In March, 1778, the town voted to grant £5000 to be 
assessed on the polls and estates to carry on the war. 

In June, 1778, the following resolve was passed: "Voted 
to return the thanks of the town to the revnd Ministers 
that Carried on the Publick services of our Late faft, 
for their Good and kind Labours of love & to apply to 
them for advice Concerning the refettlement of the Gofpel 
amongft us." 

In November, 1778, "Madam Payson was allowed ;{J^io 
for providing for their minister on Sabbath, when the pulpit 
was supplied," and £^ los to her stepson, George Payson, 
for boarding the minister at the tow^n fast. And Jeremiah 
Blake is allowed ^,"15 "for one Quarter of a Continental 
man." On Nov, 27, 1778, £^6 i^s 3/? was allowed the 
Rev. Mr. Bullard and Rev. Mr. Daniels for preaching. 
The town's old pastor, the Rev. Phillips Payson, had died 
the preceding January. 

At the meeting May 20, 1779, Major Seth Bullard was 
chosen Representative to General Court. 

June 24, 1779: "Voted to Give a Soldier that shall 
encase for nine months, one Thousand Dollars or other- 
wife pay them at the Rate of forty shillings per Month 
in the Produce of the Land, Rye at 4^ per Bufhel, Indian 
Corn at 3^ 4/) per Bufhel. Beef at ihs per lb., frefh 

[126] 



Pork at ^hs pr lb. Butter at 8/? pr lb, and other Eateables 
Equivalent." 

In July, 1779, Lieut. William Bacon and John Lewis 
were chosen tax collectors. On November, 1779, it was 
voted to have no other candidate for the vacant pulpit but 
Mr. Read, and to prepare for buildmg a new meeting- 
house. 

In April, 1780, it was voted to pay "Soldiers to Carry 
on the war, ;^6ooo," for that year. The Continental 
currency had depreciated to this alarming extent. 

In June thirteen more men were raised for the Conti- 
nental Army, and the following vote was passed: 

"Voted to Give the Soldiers that we agreed with to Join the Con- 
tinental Army for Six months one Thoufand Dollars immediately upon 
their pafsing Mufter to each one of them and half a Bufhel of corn Pr 
Day from the Day they pafs Mufter till they are Difcharged, and after 
that time, half a Bufhel of Corn for every twenty Miles travel home, and 
Said men to be freed from their Poll Tax while in the Service. Said 
men to be paid in Corn or the Value thereof in Money if they se Caufe." 

On Sept. 4, 1780, IS given the following most interesting 
record, the first mention of the vote for a Governor: 

"Made Choice of John Hancock Esqr for Governor by 35 votes. 

"Voted for James Bowdoin Esqr. for Lieut Governor by 6 votes. 

"Voted tor Thomas Culhen Esqr for Lieut Governor by 4 votes. 

"Voted for Caleb Davis for Lieut by I vote. 

"Senators, for Esqr Niles, 13 votes, Boston; Oliver Wendall, 13 votes, 
Boston; John Pitts, 13 votes, Boston; Esqr White, Brookline; Increase 
Sumner, 13 votes, Roxbury; Deacon Fisher, 11 votes, Franklin." 

To show the alarming depreciation of our currency, the 
following vote must be studied : 

[127] 



"Jany ye 4, 1781 Voted to Inftruct the Afsefsers to afsefs the 
Town for Eight Hundred Bufhels of Indian Corn at Sixty Dollars Pr 
Bufhel to pay the three months Men. Granted that one Thoufand 
Silver Dollars be forthwith afsefsed on this Town to hire Continental 
Soldiers." 

Few people know that Medfield was ever wanted for 
our shire town. 

At the same meeting it was 

" Voted that this town will Concur with the Acts of the Conven- 
tion with Refpect to Dividing the County, provided the Towns Round 
Join So as to make Medfield the shire Town." 

At this meeting; the followino- action was taken on the 
proposed new meetmg-house: 

" Voted to Build a meeting house agreeable to a plan that was 
Drawn of Manffield Meeting Houfe, and that all Pewes be Sold to 
the Highest Bidder one on each side of the Pulpit wall Pews. 

It soon became necessary to hire soldiers for a longer 
term. The end of the war seemed still far away. 

"Voted that the Committee for hiring the Continental men for three 
years or During the war Stand and Exert themfelves. Voted to Give the 
three years men Eighty hard Dollars on their Entring and Eighty hard 
Dollars a year During their Service, the first Eighty Dollars to be Recond 
for one year." 

At this time Asa Ellis was paid "for Doing a tower in 
the War, 1555 Dollars," "William Fisher ^500, Samuel 
Fuller $315, John Cleveland $600, John Lewis ^600, and 
Nicholas Harris $600." Two French soldiers received 
£2106. Jonathan Kendall was paid ^^461 for "keeping 
minifters Horse." Fifty dollars per day was paid the 

[128] 



soldiers going to Tiverton, and a horse cart was also pro- 
vided to carry their packs to Slade's Ferry. 

There are many interesting Hsts in the records, such 
as private contributions to aid the soldiers and for their 
monthly payments. The foUow^ing public hst is typical: 

"December ye 20, 1781 afsembled the Selectmen and ordered Mr 
Nathan Pond, Treafurer to pay to the several Perfons the several Sums 
following for Cloathing they found for the Army, to Nathan Pond for 
2 Blankets and 6 Shirts £6, to James Clap 6 shirts £"3 I2J, to Bezaliel 
Turner 5 pair stockings, £1 155, to William Pettee 6 pairs of Shoes 
£^, to Ephraim Clark 2 pair of Shoes & one shirt £\ \2s, to Ebenr. 
Baker l pair Stockings Js to Henry Smith 2 pairs stockings i^s, to 
Jonathan Carrell 2 pair Shoes & 2 pair Stockings £1 i^s, to Capt Man 

1 pair shoes 105, to Benj. Boyden i Shirt & i pair Stockings 19^, to 
Afa Smith 2 Shirts & i Blanket £2 8j, to Benj Pettee 6 pair Shoes 
(he was a shoemaker), i pair of stockings & i Blanket ^4 lis, Madam 
Payson (the ministers widow) i pair Stockings u. Deacon Kingsbury 

2 pair shoes ;^i, James Dupee 4 Blankets ;^4 i6j, Lydia Boyce 2 Shirts 
& 3 pair Stockings £2 55." 

There is also a long list of those who advanced money 
to hire soldiers, of whom Elisha Hall lent ^50, Nathan 
Pond ^300, Joshua Allen ^100, James Dupee ^200, 
Capt. OHver Clap $300, Ebenezer Fales ^200, Samuel 
Thompson ^100, Timothy Hartshorn ^200, Capt. Jere- 
miah Smith $410, Capt. John Boyden $200, Benjamin 
Morse ^120, Joseph Day $450, Major Seth Bullard 
;^i5i 2s, Deacon Kingsbury $100, Col. Seth Kingsbury 
£\^() 2s, Nathaniel Bradfhaw ^60, Stephen Dexter $100, 
Isaac Lewis ^200, Josiah Hall $40, Jacob Clap ^200, 
Oliver EUis ^40, Benj. Pettee $200, George Payson ^200, 
Daniel Fisher $600, Abel Allen $200, Doct. Seth Man $50, 

[129] 



Aaron Blake ^400, Samuel Guild $100, Calvin Gay $120, 
Richard Hartshorn ^300, Capt. Shubael Downs ^1000, 
Benjamin Kingsbury $200, Samuel Allen ^78, William 
Robbins ^200, Jonathan Boyden ^200, Nathaniel Guild 
^225, Asa Fisher ^300, John Lewis ^300, Col. Ebenr 
Clap $200. 

A Muster Roll of the Company under the command of Capt. 
Seth Bullard in Col. Joseph Reads Regt., to the last of 
Aug. 1775, 3 Mos men. 

Seth Bullard, Capt., Walpole 
Thomas Pette, 1st Lieut., Walpole 
Ezekiel Plimpton, 2d Lieut., Medfield 
Levi Lindley, Serj., Walpole 
Asa Fisher, Serj., Walpole 
Eliphalet Fales, Serj., Dedham 
Joseph Plimpton, Serj., Medfield 
Samuel Boyden, Corp., Walpole 
Eliphalet Fisher, Corp., Medfield 
Elias Mann, Corp., Walpole 
Ichabod Reed, Corp., Walpole 
Abiather Fales, Drummer, Walpole 
David Ellis, Fifer, Walpole 
Anthony Bracket, Private, Walpole 
George Blen, Private, Walpole 
Philip Bardens, Private, Walpole 
Nathan Baker, Private, Medfield 
Nathan Bullard, Private, Medfield 
Joseph Cole, Private, Medfield 
Moses Chamberlain, Private, Walpole 
Benjamin Carril, Private, Walpole 
Ebenezer Clap, Private, Walpole 
Eleazer Clap, Private, Walpole 
Rufus Clark, Private, Medfield 

[■30] 



Jabez Clark, Private, Medfield 
Jonathan Dexter, Private, Walpole 
William Everett, Private, Dedham 
Jacob Ellis, Private, Walpole 
Benjamin Fisher, Private, Dedham 
John Fuller, Private, Medfield 
James Fales, Private, Walpole 
David Farrington, Private, Walpole 
Aaron Farrington, Private, Walpole 
Matthias Armsby, Private, Medfield 
Jonathan Boyden, Private, Walpole 
Ebenezer Farrington, Private, Walpole 
Abner Gould, Private, Walpole 
Joshua Hewes, Private, Medfield 
Josiah Hall, Private, Walpole 
Seth Hart, Private, Walpole 
Asa Kingsbury, Private, Walpole 
Cornelius Kollock, Private, Medfield 
John Lawrance, Private, Walpole 
Elihu Lawrance, Private, Walpole 
Peter Lyon, Private, Walpole 
Isaiah Lyon, Private, Walpole 
Ebenezer Lyon, Private, Medfield 
Ebenezer Merriam, Private, Walpole 

Mann, Private, Dedham 

Abner Morse, Private, Walpole 
Nathaniel Nason, Private, Walpole 
Joseph Mann, Private, Walpole 
Moses Peters, Private, Medfield 
Abiel Pettee, Private, Walpole 
Amos Ramsdale, Private, Walpole 
Jonathan Read, Private, Attleborough 
Samuel Rhoads, Private, Walpole 
Jeremiah Smith, Private, Walpole 
James Smith, Private, Walpole 

[131] 



Thomas Trott, Private, Medfield 
Holland Wood, Private, Medfield 

Wood, Private, Medfield 

Jonas White, Private, Dedham 
Andrew Willett, Private, Walpole 

Mary Lewis taught one of the schools in 1 782, 1 1 weeks, 
£1^ I'js; and Anne Neales, 12 weeks, £2 t^s 2p\ Mar- 
garet Man, 8 weeks, ;£J^2 i6j-; Rhoda Fairbanks, 12 weeks, 
£2 14-^. 

Nov. 18, 1782, it was voted to "build a new meeting 
house on the place where the old one now stands." The 
town soon purchased of Jacob and Ichabod Clap an 
enlargement of the meeting-house common, thus enabling 
a final removal of the church farther south, as indicated 
in the two plans of Walpole filed in the State House in 
1 83 1. The meeting-house there indicated is almost in 
front of the present apothecary shop. 

During the Revolutionary period, the town carried its 
part of the burden with proper manliness, supporting 
both the soldier and his family. In 1780 measures were 
taken to procure its share of corned beef for the sufi^ering 
army and necessaries for the soldier's families. 

In 1782 the vacancy made by the death of the Rev. 
Phillips Payson was still unfilled, and at the March meet- 
ing appears the following record; "To fee if the Town 
will concur with the church in giving Mr. Porter, that 
now Preaches with us a Call to Settle as a Gofpel Min- 
ifter." 

At the following meeting in April first appears any 
mention of Governors of the State, thus: "In order to 

[132] 



chufe a Governor, Lieut. Governor and Senitors agreeable 
to the Conftitution of this Commonv^ealth." 

In September of the same year occurs this item, "to 
see if the Tov^n will take up the Vote that w^as Refered 
to a future time Concerning Mr. Huntington Porter," 
also "to see if the Town will Chufe a Comitee to Join 
with the Town of Stoughton and Stoughtonham in 
opening the Pafsways to let up the fish caled Alewives; 
to see if the Town will Raife Six men to serve at Nan- 
tafket." 

In November of the same year appears, "to See if the 
Inhabitants will Build a New Meeting Houfe in this 
Town." From paying taxes for this purpose Enoch Ellis 
petitioned to be exempt. 

Under Feb. i8, 1783, appears another attempt to settle 
a successor to the Rev. Phillips Payson in the Walpole 
church, as thus indicated: 

" To see if the Town will Unite on Giving Mr. George Morey a 
Call to Settle as a Gofpel Minifter in this Town and make provifion 
for his Settlement and Support." 

The town meeting of Oct. 13, 1783, was held at the 
house of Samuel Fuller, innholder. At this meeting the 
town considered whether it would sell all pews not already 
disposed of, and provide means for finishing the new 
meeting-house. John Lewis and William Pettee were 
the constables and tax collectors of that year. 

The town meeting of April 5, 1784, considered "a Letter 
from a Convention Refpecting Commutation Impofts 
and Cincinati." The latter being the new and popular 

[^33] 



association of the Revolutionary war officers, formed at 
the close of the war and still in existence. 

All along, at this period, there are efforts made to sepa- 
rate from Suffolk County, under new auspices. This was 
not accomplished until Norfolk County was formed ten or 
more years later. The same year SethMann is mentioned 
as the town doctor, and Andrew Willett as constable. 

At the May 9, 1785, town meeting was considered "to 
see if the Town will approve of tying Horfes to the Pofts 
that are Set at the corner of the Meeting Houfe." 

At the Walpole meeting of Feb. 10, 1783^ the following 
significant vote was passed: "to pay to Abner Dagger for 
Rum & Sugar for William Marfhall when Sick, js 9/?." 
Rum and tobacco were then always provided for the 
poor, probably out of mistaken sympathy. 

At the following meeting it was "voted to pay Major 
Bullard for serving as assessor and finding the Committee 
two quarts of Rum, that were appointed to open the way 
for the fifh to come up." Also "to Abel Allen for ufe of 
his houfe eleven weeks to keep School in i is.'' " To Isaac 
Lewis for keeping Jonathan Dexter's wife £1 4jr." 

At the meeting March 10, 1783, it was 

" voted to Give Mr. George Morey a call to Settle as a Gofpel Mlnifter 
with us and there was fifty-nine yeas, & nine nays." 

In the winter of 1783, Major Seth Bullard and Capt. 
Timothy Man taught two of our schools, the latter in the 
south part of the town. 

" May ye 12, 1783, Afsembled the Town by legal Warning and paft 



the following Votes, met at the Houfe Late the Property of Deacn 
Robbins opened the Meeting & adjourned to the Barn." 

This was on account of taking down the old meeting- 
house the week before. At this meeting Doctor Seth 
Man and Doctor Jonathan Wild were chosen surveyors 
ot highways. 

May 19, 1783, it was voted "to Level the Hill for the 
new Meeting Houfe, by Squadrons as they took down the 
Meeting Houfe." Later it was voted "to procure Stone 
to underpin the Meeting Houfe." 

May 26 it was "voted that the Meeting Houfe Stand 
as the old one did," and that it should have "a Steeple 
Raifed when the Meeting Houfe is Raifed," and "that 
Capt. Man, Benj. Hartshorn, Jona. Hidden, Lt. Gay & 
Lt. Willett procure Gins and Men to Raife the Meeting 
Houfe." Deep mystery surrounds this motive power. 

The report of the Committee of Pew Appraisal for the 
new church runs thus: 

"We the Subscribers being chofen by the Town a Committee to Prize 
the Pews and to Settle the Precedency of choice of Pews according to 
the Smgle Rate, putting two Famihes to a Pew have attended that 
Service and set them from 20 to 60 Dollars Pr Pew, the Graduation 
bemg 4 Pistireens, the first Choice falls to 



Dols. Pistns. 



Ephra.m Clark .... 4 Nathan Kingsbury . 

Coll.Kmgsbury ...60 o Seth Smith 57 

^^'■«" ^^^^' 5 George Payson .... 

James Fales 59 j John Ellis 56 

James Clap 6 Enoch Ellis 

Benia Haws cS 7 



Dols. Pistns. 



[^35] 



Nathan Pond 56 



Dols. 

7 Widw Fales 

Lt Wm. Bacon 55 

8 Moses Ellis 

Aquilla Robbins .54 

9 jona Kendall 

Capt Clap 53 

10 Jofhua Allen 

Henry Partridge . . .52 

11 Lt Elipt. Ellis 

Enfn Boyden 52 

12 Enfn. Man 

Afa Smith 51 

13 Esqr. Clap 

Saml Hartshorn .... 50 

14 Joshua Clap, Jr . . . 
Abner Daggett ... .49 

15 Wm Robbir.s 

Abel Allen 48 

16 Joshua Clap 3d .... 
Joshua Boyden .... 48 

17 Joseph Gay 

Widw Gay 47 

18 Widw Fifher 

Jona Hidden 46 

19 Majr Bullard 

Joseph Day 45 

20 Mofes Smith 

Jacob Hart 44 

21 Jacob Clap 

Ichabod Clap 44 

22 Lt Willet 

Widw Day 43 

23 Benja Boyden 

Mofes P^ales 42 



Pistns- Dols. Pistns 

24 Timy Hartshorn . . . 

1 Jeremiah Fales ... .41 3 

25 Thos Page 

2 Benja Hartshorn . . .40 4 

26 Jeremiah Day 

3 Jofeph Ellis 40 o 

27 Nathl Guild 

4 Phillip Bardens 39 I 

28 Jona Boyden 

Capt. Smith 38 2 

29 Isaac Lewis 

1 Saml Copp 37 3 

30 Capt. Boyden 

I Benja Kingfbery ■ . 36 4 

31 Danl Fifher 

3 Lt Benja Gay 36 o 

32 Nathl Guild Jr 

4 P^benr Baker 35 I 

33 Capt Man 

Jofeph Kingsbury .34 2 

34 Richard Hartshorn . 

1 Saml Boyden ^^ 3 

35 Coll. Clap 

2 Wm Bullard 32 4 

36 Nicholas Harris ... 

3 Benja. Kingsbury Jr. 32 o 

37 Jofhua Morfe 

4 Peter Morfe 31 i 

38 John Cleaveland . . . 

Jacob Gay 30 2 

39>^eth Clap 

1 Elipt Clap 29 3 

40 Abner Turner 

2 Lt John Boyden ... 28 4 

[136] 




o ^ 

X ^ 

I u 

o ^ 

oi r 

< — > 



Uols. Pistns. Dols. Pistns. 

41 John Lewis 47 Chriftopher Smith . . 

Saml Smith 28 o Ebenr Hartshorn . . 23 i 

42 Bezehel Turner .... 48 Afa Page 

Samuel Guild 27 i John Boyden 3d . . .22 2 

43 Ezekiel Boyden .... 49 Lt. Benja Pettee. . . . 

Lt Henry Partridge .26 2 Lt. Seth Kingsbury .21 3 

44 Ebenr Gay 50 John Hall 

Jofeph Guild 25 3 Ebenr Day 20 4 

45 Wm Pettee 51 Elifha Hall 

Eleazer Clap 24 4 Jofiah Hall 20 o 

46 James Dupee 

Jofeph Man 24 o 

The last pew was afterwards owned by Richard Billings 
and Elijah Clap. 

In September, 1783, it was voted to paint the outside of 
the new meeting-house, "Except the Roof." Also voted 
that "Mr. Morey be Defired to Come and Preach at this 
Town, when his time is out at Marlborough." Sept. 15, 
1783, it was 

" voted that thofe that have bought Pews and paid for them shall have 
them and their Heirs and Afsigns forever." 

In 1783 Asa Kingsbury and Lois Harris taught school. 
Both her father's house and that of Abel Allen were used 
for a schoolhouse. 

Although the town had passed through many complica- 
tions, as in the case of paying David Farrington in 1775 
for damage for closing school before his term had expired, 
no special mention of the word lawsuit is found in the 
records before June, 1785, when one is thus referred to: 

[137] 



"to see if the Town will grant money to carry on their 
Law Suit with Mofes Ellis." Enoch Ellis, Nicholas 
Harris, and Ezekiel Boyden were then selectmen. 

Some inkling of impending trouble also appears in the 
following, in June, 1786: 

"3ly) for the Town to hear Reprefentation of the Selectmen Refpect- 
ing the Conduct of Mr. Nicholas Harris, who had Some of the Property 
of this Town Depofited in his Hands while he was one of the Selectmen 
the Laft year and Refufeth to deliver the Same to the Prefent Selectmen." 

In the meeting of March 5, 1787, the town considered 
"if the Town will pay the bill of the Soldiers now Raifd 
or Wheather they Shall be paid by the Individuals that 
hired them." 

At the meeting of November, 1787, the following im- 
portant matter was acted upon: 

"To Chufe a Delegate to Reprefent them at a Convention to be 
Holden at the State Houfe in Bofton on the Second wednelday of Jan- 
uary next to Confider of and afsent to a Late Conftitution or frame 
of Government." 

For some reason, at this time, several articles to abate 
Samuel Thompson's taxes are from time to time brought 
into the warrant. 

At the meeting "May 12, 1788, the Town voted to pur- 
chase land of Jacob and Ichabod Clap to enlarge the 
n'jeeting-house common." 

The old and first pound, situated on what is now West 
Street, was sold to Dr. Mann in 1790, and a new one con- 
structed west of the Medfield road. This caused trouble 
later, when a new claimant to the old location appeared. 

['38] 



In 1794 also mention is made of Dr. Jonathan Wild in 
an abatement of taxes, and Eliphalet Rhoades, an early 
mill owner of East Walpole, is allowed to work out his 
taxes "in the croff Rhoad that leads by his Mill." 

In June, 1794, again appears the alarm of war. 

" To see if the Town will grant any pay to thofe Men that are 
now detached to hold themfelves in redinels to go into Service at 
the Shorteft notice which will make up their Continental wages, three 
pounds per month." 

In 1794 the town, under an act of the General Court, 
made its first survey of its territory. The map is still in 
the Public Archives of the State House, but is a most 
unsatisfactory plan of the town even as it was then. 

It is a surprise to find the town then voting that eight 
hours shall constitute a day's labor on the roads, but there 
were allowed but four shillings per day. 

In 1 786 it was voted " that there be a fine of Six Shillings 
laid on each Person that shall leave or tye a Horfe within 
one Rod & half of the Meeting Houfe." 

In 1788 Isaac Lewis was chosen constable, but hired 
his brother John to act in his place. Samuel Boyden was 
excused from working on the highway, because he "had 
no road to his house." 

In 1788 Fisher Ames, of Dedham, as Representative to 
Congress, received 23 votes, Samuel Adams only 13. 

In 1789 John Hancock, for Governor, received 45 votes, 
General Lincoln for Lieutenant Governor, 22 votes; 
General Heath but 3. 

The following vote was passed in 1790: "to purchase a 

[■39] 



Bell for the Meeting House at ^50." A committee chosen 
to reckon with the town treasurer at this meeting reports: 
"We find in said Treafurer's hands one bad Piftereen 
and eighty-one bungtown Coppers." Is there as much 
now ? 

In 1792 the vote of the town for John Hancock for 
Governor was 68; for Samuel Adams, Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, 57. 

The same year appears the following brief but compre- 
hensive vote, "Negatived jacks article." Jack was the 
slave left by Ezekiel Robbins. Just what he wanted is 
not known, possibly the town's sanction to a marriage with 
the colored woman hving on West Street, who for years 
after went by the name of Jack's wife, jack, at his death, 
was allowed a big funeral, but when living not always to 
carry out his own rather too primitive ideas. 

In 1793 the town "voted to have a Committee of five 
men to pitch on and afix a place for a school Houfe in the 
North School District in this Town." The children of 
the east part of the town had been granted the choice 
between going to the Centre or North schools. Nathan 
Pond, Jr., and Isaac Lewis were chosen surveyors of high- 
ways that year. 

On May 22, 1793, the town cast its first vote as a part 
of the county of Norfolk. It was also "voted that Capt. 
Oliver Clap & James Dupee be a Committee to meet at 
Mr. Timothy Gay's Inholder in Dedham the twelfth Day 
of Sept. Inft. at ten of the clock in the Morning in County 
Convention to tranfact Matters for the Good of the County 
of Norfolk." 

[140] 



The laying out, this year, of East Street from the old 
Sawmill road by the present orthodox church to Allen's 
corner is thus described: 

"Beginning at the Bridge near Felches, at a Stale i and heap of 
Stones in or near the wall from thence to a heap of Stones on a Small 
Hill thence to a Rock with Stones on the Same in land that lies undivided 
among the Heirs of Jonathan Fales thence Crofsing a corner of the land 
laid out to Stephen Fales to a Walnut tree in land set off to Mr. Briton 
thence to an Elm at Jofhua Aliens land thence in said Allen's land till 
it comes to the Wefterly end of said Allen's stone Wall, so on nearly 
the same Courfe, till it Strikes Road near the Houfe of Ebenezer Fales 
Said Road to be two Rods wide." 

Under April 15, 1795, the following appears: "Reed of 
William Bacon, Jr. and David Lewis Five Pounds, eight 
shillings for a Gallery Pew in the Meeting Houfe, Number 
five, which I have sold to them. Reed by me, Joseph 
Fales." 

The first mention of voting for a member of Congress 
seems to have been on the third day of November, 1794, 
when it was "voted for a Perfon to Reprefent the Third 
Southern Diftrict in Congrefs." 

In 1795 the town proposed to hire out the poor to the 
lowest bidder, and also to set up guide posts " at the Crotch 
of the Streets." 

In 1796 Doctor Seth Man was engaged to ring the bell 
for one year at four pence a day, and the following receipt 
appears: "Reed of Elijah Thompson & Elezer Rhoads 
Twenty Five Dollars for a Pew in the Meeting Houfe 
Gallery. Samuel Fuller." 

In 1798 the town met to "see if the Town will bear the 

[141] 



expenses of profecuting Eliphalet Rhoades for not serving 
Conftable laft year." 

The arrangement about the town's poor is thus de- 
scribed by vote this year: The town 

"to find them Cloths and Doctring in cafe of Sicknefs. EHphalet 
Clap Jr took Zachariah Partridge and Wife at Nine Shillings and nine 
pence Pr Week. Jonathan Kendall took Jofeph Clap at two Shillings 
and ten pence Pr Week; Afa Hartshorn took Deborah Fales at four 
Shillings and four pence pr Week. Willaby Dexter took his Grand- 
mother at three Shillings and Six pence pr Week." 

"Majr Saml Hartshorn was drawn out of the box for a grand Jury 
man for one year." 

With the exception of a brief war scare, the eighteenth 
century ended with Walpole undisturbed in her struggles 
to recover from the onerous burdens and sacrifices of the 
War for Independence. 

At the first town meeting in 1800, Major Samuel Harts- 
horn was chosen moderator; Asa Kingsbury, town clerk; 
Major Samuel Hartshorn, Capt. Daniel Kingsbury, and 
Ichabod Clap, selectmen and assessors; Capt. Oliver 
Clap, town treasurer; Joseph Kingsbury, constable for 
the west and southwest, David Allen for the north and 
east part. It was voted to give the constables "six pence 
on a Pound for Collecting the Taxes." 

The meeting-house was put in repair and painted, and 
six pews added on the lower floor and six in the gallery. 
These pews were sold by Major Samuel Hartshorn, acting 
as auctioneer. Heretofore the schoolhouses and church 
had been heated from a fireplace, but with the incoming 
nineteenth century some one was bold enough to propose 

[ 142] 



a "stove and funnel," but it was promptly voted down. 
They had voted to discontinue food and liquors at their 
funerals, why should they indulge in a less warming and 
untried article, the stove ? They wanted badly a singing 
school, but with like promptness it was refused. They 
also voted to discontinue the road that "leads by Mr. 
Needham's houfe." How this economy struck Mr. 
Needham we can only imagine. 

In 1801, however, the town, coming to its senses, 

" voted to have a Road by Mr. Needham's houfe in which EHjah 
Clap now hves over the bridge that is now torn partly away, and to 
have the Selectmen lay the same out and prize the land which was 
taken from the Widow payfon for a part of the fd Road." 

The Mr. Needham in question was John Needham, 
who afterwards ran the stage route from Boston to Provi- 
dence through North Walpole and the Plain, in close 
rivalry with the stage line which passed through East 
Walpole, stopping at the half-way house in South Walpole. 

Both were Boston and Providence lines, and both had 
half-way houses in Walpole. Needham's was just this 
side of the Horace Guild place on the Plain. He pur- 
chased, at one time, the old Brass Ball Tavern, to prevent 
any rivalry on his line in sale of refreshments. 

The Payson land was what for years was known as the 
schoolhouse pasture, and included the Deacon Willard 
Lewis place. 

It will be remembered that the Rev. Phillips Payson 
gave this land to the town as long as it should be used for 
school purposes, and that Deacon Ezekiel Robbins erected 

[■43] 



a small one-story school building thereon, which was 
afterwards moved to the south end of the premises. Here 
the writer's father, in his boyhood, was obliged to come 
to school all the way from the east part of the town. 

At this town meeting it was also "Granted for to hire 
a room and for Candles & fire wood for the ufe of Singers 
in this Town the prefent year ;^io." 

The matter of stage routes above referred to was first 
brought to the attention of Walpole at the town meeting 
of Jan. II, 1802. It was then 

" voted to act on the petition of Esqr Starkweather and others refpect- 
ing a turn pike. Voted to object againft a turnpike coming through 
this town. Voted to have the Selectmen draw up a remonftrance to 
send by Mr. Bacon to the General Court, and to have him ufe his 
influence againft a turnpike going through this town." 

When we reflect that there was no public conveyance 
in those days, we marvel somewhat at this unwise obstruc- 
tion of such a useful progress. 

There had been a post over the old post-road a little to 
the east of Walpole territory, passing over the Neponset 
River at King's bridge (Morrill's in Norwood), stopping 
at White's just south, at Roebuck Tavern, the Gould 
neighborhood, at Billings' in West Sharon, and on to 
Providence. General Lafayette and other well-known 
public characters used this route, stopping in East Wal- 
pole. There is an interesting account by Madam Sarah 
Knight, who traveled over this route in 1704. 

It may be of interest to many to read the following 
layout of the Needham road above referred to: 

[ 144] 



" Walpole, Feb. 19th, 1802. We the Subfcribers met and laid out 
a Road by Elijah Clap to the great Road and make the following 
Report (viz.) begining a little diftance from the Centre School houfe 
tuning as the wall now stands to the River the faid road to be south- 
erly of said wall thence Croffing the River to the wall the foutherly 
fide of faid road, thence on faid wall till it comes near a pear tree, 
then turning a ftrait Courfe on to the top of the hill near an Apple- 
tree to the Great road, the faid road laid out three Rods wide, alfo 
that Mr. John Needham gives the land, the weft fide of the river for 
the road and gives a piece of land to the heirs of Dea. George pay- 
fon, deceafed, which the faid heirs have improved in the room of the 
land taken for the faid Road the Eafterly fide of the River and the 
Common between the Roads for the towns ufe." 

On March i, 1802, it was "voted to accept Ebenr 
Baker with his real Eftate to be Annexed to this Town." 
This year the town gave 48 votes for "his Excelency 
Caleb Strong, Governor." 

On April 4, 1803, it was "voted to have the Selectmen 
agree with some Perfon to Ring the Bell and at funerals of 
defeased by the Relations at the towns expense." This 
custom has only recently been discontinued. 

On April 2, 1804, it was voted to accept "Danl Fifhers 
Road" (Fisher Street) and to give "50 dol towards mak- 
ing the fence." Also "to give Jotham Morfe 10 dollars 
towards fupporting his mother Gregory." 

At the meeting April 15, 1804, first appears a political 
name affixed to the Governor. 

The electors at large for choice of President are: "Re- 
publicans, Hon. James Sullivan (Governor), Hon. Elbridge 
Gerry; Federals, Hon. David Cobb, Hon. OHver Wen- 
dell." 

[145] 



In May, 1805, came the struggle over the construction 
of the Joshua Allen road. Why there should have been 
such strong opposition is not known. 

On May 2, 1808, it was voted to furnish the Walpole 
Light Infantry with powder and ball. And, alas! on Nov. 
7, 1808, it was 

" Voted to have the Selectmen Carry Hannah Jack to jail at Ded- 
ham, if she behave well in their opinion they may neglect to Carry 
her to Dedham Jail." 

Thus again we see that Ezekiel Robbms's slave legacy 
shows its unsavory side. 

On March 6, 1809, it was "voted to make an addition 
to the pay of those men detached for the Service of the 
U. States provided they are called for, thev are to be made 
up by said town to the Sum of Twelve Dollars with the 
States' pay, and two Dollars bounty." 

The vote for Levi Lincoln for Governor this year was 
116, for Christopher Gore 80. 

On March 4, 181 1, it was "voted to build a powder 
houfe seven feet one way, and eight the other and to built 
with Brick, by David Lewis, Daniel Allen and Nathan 
Ware." 

In 1 8 14 John A. Gould, who ever afterwards was a 
prominent citizen, and at one time, when Walpole tried 
to be the shire town, a candidate for judge of probate, 
was excused from serving as constable. 

On May i, 1815, the town accepted the "road from 
Ruben Aliens to Capt. David Allen's & thence to the 
Norfolk & Bristol turnpike." This was Peach street. 

[146] 



In 1825 there seems to have been no clearly established 
bounds to the "meeting house common," or the Common 
as it is now called. Committee after committee were 
chosen to fix some definite limit, but before it was settled 
another far more important question arose, which is fore- 
shadowed in the following vote: 

o 

"March 6, 1826. Voted to choose a committee of five to confer 
with the Reverend George Morey to afcertain if he will difsolve his 
ministerial connection with the town, and on what terms. Chose Harvey 
Boyden, Joshua Stetson, Harvey Clap, Asa Whitman, & Joseph Carroll 
for the Committee." 

At the April meeting their report was read and it was 
voted to obtain legal advice and see how far the town's 
agreement with Mr. Morey was binding. 

Also at this meeting a school committee of five persons 
was chosen. They were our first school committee, and 
were Ebenezer Stone, John A. Gould, Harvey Ruggles, 
David Morse, and Daniel Kingsbury. 

On May i, 1826, it was 

"Voted that it is the wish of the Town to difsolve the ministerial 
connection with the Rev. George Morey. Moved that a Committee of 
seven be chosen to wait on the Rev. George Morey and to offer him an 
opportunity to make any propositions which he may wish, to the town 
of Walpole through them in relation to a disolution of his Ministerial 
contract with them, and should he make any, which, in their opinion 
might be deemed proper, to request the Selectmen to call a meeting of 
the town, and then & there to lay said proposition before the town. 
Should he not make to them any propositions said Committee then 
propose to Mr. Morey a mutual council, and, in case he should reject a 
mutual council, that said committee forth with proceed to convoke an 

[147] 



ex parte council. Voted in the affirmative. Chole for said Committee 
Capt Joshua Stetson, Harvey Boyden, Timothy Mann, Joseph Hawes, 
Joseph Elhs, Warren Clap, Asa Whitman." 

On May 15, 1826, this committee reported and it was 
then 

"Voted, Whereas the Rev. George Morey has now for upwards of 
forty two years regularly officiated in the office of minister over the 
church and society in the town, and whereas by reason of the decay 
of his strength and the infirmities of age, he has become unable to dis- 
charge the duties of said office, and whereas it is extremely desirable for 
the continued peace and quietude of the town, and will be conducive to 
the comfort and welfare of our venerable Pastor as well as to that of the 
people, that a final arrangement & adjustment should take place with 
him in relation to his Salary before measures are taken towards employ- 
ing some suitable candidate to preach the Gospel amongst us, & whereas 
our said Pastor has signified a willingnefs to enter into an arrangement 
which shall consist with what he owes himself & with the honor & 
reputation of the town. Therefore voted that the town pay the Rev. 
George Morey the sum of six hundred Dollars in full for all future claims 
for his stipulated Salary, and that the same committee, who were ap- 
pointed at the last meeting on the subject, be hereby authorized to carry 
said vote into effect, and to adjust the manner in which he shall release 
said claim & in which he shall be relieved from the discharge of the 
duties of his office & to do all such things in the case as the interest and 
welfare of the town and proper respect and regard to the feelings of the 
Rev Mr. Morey require. Voted to grant six hundred Dollars to pay 
Rev. George Morey and Ministerial uses. Voted to choose a committee 
of nine to supply the desk." 

AGREEMENT 

This agreement between George Morey of Walpole in the County 
of Norfolk, Clerk, & the Church & Christian Society in said Town, 
Witnefseth, That the said Morey doth hereby agree to preach no longer 

[148] 



and hereby retires from the discharge of the active duties oi^ minister 
over said Church & society & hence forth will cease to officiate in any 
way as minister in the desk or meeting house in said Town, & doth re- 
linquish & give up all claim to any salary or stipulated annual sum & 
doth release the Town or people from all obligation to pay him the 
same or any sum henceforth, & the said Town doth agree to relieve 
said Morey from the discharge of the duties of minister & that he shall 
not be required to do any act or perform labour on account of his retain- 
ing the character of minister, & the Town have this day paid him six 
hundred dollars in full for his relinquishment ot his salary as aforesaid, 
& it is understood that the said Morey is to continue to enjoy the privi- 
leges, perqusites & immunities of a settled minister of the Gospel in said 
Town, & is to be entitled to the respect and standing of such minister 
except so far as the relinquishment within extends; And it is understood 
that the said Morey shall receive his former stipulated salary up to the 
fifteenth day of May 1826, & it is understood to be the intention of said 
Town to employ some one to preach in said Morey 's place, and in due 
time, if practicable, to settle a suitable person as colleague with said 
Morey, it is understood that said Morey & the church & society in 
Walpole shall henceforth cultivate those sentiments of mutual respect & 
esteem & shall so demean themselves that the peace & harmony of the 
Town will be promoted, that no interference with each shall occur, but 
the best disposition & mutual friendship shall be cherished. In witness 
whereof the parties aforesaid have hereunto set their hands this fifteenth 
day of May in the year of our Lord 1826. 

Timothy Mann, Joshua Stetson, Harvey Boyden, Asa 
Whitman, Joseph Hawes, Joseph Ellis, Warren Clap. 
Committee of the "Town Authorized by a vote of the same. 
Attest 

Daniel Kingsbury 

David Cobb 
Attest 

Palmer Morey 

Prisaller Morey. 

George Morey, Clerk." 

[ 149] 



How much this occurrence had to do with the approach- 
ing division of the church and parish, which led to the 
formation of the Orthodox church and society, cannot 
now be judged. It must have created an opportunity if 
not an excuse as pubHc feehng was deeply stirred. 

On July 31, 1826, it was by the town 

"Voted that we highly approve of the recommendation of the church 
of the Rev. J. P. B. Storer, as a person well and suitably qualified to be 
elected to the office of a public teacher of Piety, Religion and Morality, 
over the Church and religious society in this town. Voted that a com- 
mittee be chosen and instructed to invite the Rev Mr Storer to settle 
over us in said character and to offer him an annual salary of the sum 
of six hundred Dollars upon the condition however that either party 
shall have the liberty to recede from their contract by giving in writmg 
six months notice of their intention so to do. If a dissolution of the 
contract be wished for on the part of the town, and the citizens thereof 
being duly and legally afsembled for that purpose, and it being so de- 
clared by a majority of the voters present, then there shall be a second 
town meeting called for the same purpose within fourteen days there- 
after, and if after a majority of the voters present shall adhere to their 
former vote for a difsolution of the contract, and a copy of said vote being 
given to the Rev. Mr. Storer, it shall operate as a difsolution of the con- 
tract at the expiration of six months thereafter. If a difsolution of said 
contract be desired by the Rev. Mr Storer, a notice of his request in writ- 
ing lodged with the town clerk, shall operate as a difsolution of the con- 
tract at the expiration of the time aforesaid, and the said committee 
shall report at some future meeting their doings together with the answer 
of the Rev. Mr Storer to the propositions contained in this note. Daniel 
Kingsbury, Timothy Mann, Joshua Stetson, Daniel Allen, and Harvey 
Boyden were appointed said committee. 

Attest Harvey Clap, To-wn Clerk." 

On Oct. 2, 1 826, it was "voted to choose a committee of 

[150] 



nine whose duty it shall be to make all suitable arrange- 
ments for the ordination. Chofe for said committee, Daniel 
Kingsbury, Joshua Stetson, Harvey Boyden, Henry 
Plimpton, Nathan Carroll, Joseph Hawes, Oliver Lincoln, 
Truman Clarke, Isaac BuUard." 

"The doeing of the Ecclistastical Council convened at Walpole Nov. 
15, 1826. At a council convened by Letters mifsive from the church 
of Christ in Walpole at Walpole on the 15 Nov. 1826, present the follow- 
ing churches: i, Portland, Dr. Nichols & Judge W. P. Preble; 2, West 
Boston Dr. Lowell & E. P. Hartshorn; 3, Federal St. pastor E. S. Gan- 
nett & F. A. Failes; 4, Hollis St. Mr. Pierpoint & Deacon S. May; 5, 
Seed Church H. Ware & J. A. Earns; 6, Brookline Dr Pierce and 
Joshua C. Clark; 7, Dorchester ist church Dr Harris & Dea. Eb. Clapp; 
8 Dorchester 3d Church Dr. Richmond & Hon John Baily; 9, Medfield 
Dr Sanders & P. Allen; 10, Sherborn, Mr Townsend and Dea Dan 
Leland; 11, Medway, Mr Bailey & Dea Jon Blake; 12, Dover Mr. 
Sanger & Josiah Newell; 13, Needham Mr Ritchie and Dea. Jonathan 
Newell & Rev. Mr Kimball; 14, Dedham, Mr. Lamson & Dea Eliphalet 
Baker; 15, Dedham 2nd Church Mr White & Dea John Richards; 16, 
Mansfield, Elkanah Bates; 17, Norton Mr Clark & Eph Raymond; 
18, Providence Dr Edes & Dea John C. Jenks; 19, Mr Dewey & Dea 
M. Kempton; 20th, Canton, Mr. Huntoon & Genl Crane; 21, North 
Bridgwater Dea John Perkins & Col Caleb Howard; 22, Roxbury 1st 
Church Dr. E. Porter." 

The proceedings of the church and society, relative to 
the invitation to the pastor-elect, together with his reply 
thereto, were laid before the council and read by the 
scribe. The proceedings between the Rev. Mr. Morey, 
late pastor of the town and church, were produced and 
read by the scribe, whereupon the following motion was 
made by Hon. judge Preble: 

[■51] 



"Walpole, Nov. 15, 1826. 
"In Ecclesiastical Council convened the day and year aforesaid. 
Whereas the Rev. George Morey of Walpole, in consequence of his ad- 
vanced age and increasing infirmities, has hy mutual agreement between 
himself & the church and Christian society over which he was Settled 
and ordained, retired from the discharge of the active duties of minister 
over said church and Society, & ceased henceforth to officiate in any way 
as minister in the desk or meeting in said Town, & will preach no longer; 
but the said Morey, is to continue to enjoy the privileges, perquisites 
and immunities of a settled minister of the Gospel, in no way however 
interfering with the active pastoral duties — and whereas said church 
and Christian Society have elected the Rev. J. P. B. Storer to the pastoral 
office over said Church & Society to take upon himself, without inter- 
ference from the said Morey, the whole pastoral duties with the Sole 
reservation herein exprefsed. Voted this council does fully approve 
& concur in the arrangements between the Rev. Mr. Morey and his 
church & Christian Society." 

The pastor-elect presented certificates of regular stand- 
ing as a member of a Christian church, and of approba- 
tion as a candidate for the ministry. 

"Voted that this council is satisfied of the regularity of proceedings 
of this church & Society in their call to Mr. Storer, and with the docu- 
ments and testimonials presented by the Pastor elect." 

Hon. judge Preble read the following communication 
from the pastor-elect: 

"Walpole, Nov. 15, 1826. 
"To the Reverend, the Ecclesiastical Council Ajsembled tn this place. 

" The undersigned asks leave respectfully to state to your reverend 
body, that such are his views of duty, and of the principles by which 
ministers of our Lord should be governed, he never could suffer himself 
to remain the Pastor of a people alienated from him in affection and 

[152] 



opposed to him in his ministeriel office. He has therefore taken this 
mode of thus pubhclcly declaring, that whenever a majority of the whole 
number of legal voters who statedly worship with the religious society 
in this town over which he is about to be settled and ordained, & who 
actually contribute for the Support of the Gospel by paying taxes towards 
his Salary shall desire his ministerial connection with them to be dif- 
solved, & such desire shall be ascertained & expresfed in legal meeting 
by the requisite number, a majority of the whole number of all the 
legal voters in the society, voting for such difsolution, he will waive 
everything in the condition of settlement made between himself and the 
Town requiring two thirds of the voters present at a legal meeting to 
difsolve his ministerial connection with his people. 

"J. P. B. Storer." 

The communication having been read, 

"Voted. Resolved, as the sense of this council, that we fully and 
cordially approve and sanction the principles stated by Mr. Storer in 
his note of this day, addrefsed to this body, in relation to the terms and 
conditions of his settlement in the Ministry with his people. 

"Voted that the Council is ready to proceed to the public Services of 
the ordination. Voted that the Council approve of and unite in the 
appointment of the Rev Mr. Huntoon to give the right hand of fellowship. 

"Voted that Dr. Harris be requested to make the ordaining prayer 
& Mr White the concluding prayer. 

"Signed Eliphalet Porter, Moderator." 

Thus was an extremely dehcate and dangerous public 
condition in a measure acceptably removed. 

In 1827 Daniel Webster received but ten votes for 
Governor, and Samuel Hoar but four. It is impossible 
now, after long years of political worship, to account for 
this apparent lack of appreciation. 

It was voted this year "that the land whereon the town 
pound is now located shall be the property of Harlow 

[■53] 



Lawrence, provided the said Lawrence shall furnish 
another good and sufficient pound." This was the first 
pound, and long in dispute. This was settled by giving 
the location south of the Medfield road, where it remained 
until a few years ago and was our last pound, the old one 
being on West Street. Dr. Mann at one time claimed 
the old site, hence this vote of the town. 

In 1827 the town voted to defend against a suit of John 
Blackburn. This suit grew out of the dissolution of the 
contract between the town and the Rev. Mr. Morey. 
As has been seen, $600 was voted to purchase freedom 
from life-long support of the old pastor. This money 
had to be raised by taxation. One of our citizens, John 
Blackburn, was present at the town meeting that voted 
the money, and stated that it was not enough, that it 
should have been $1000. By the time the tax collector 
got around, however, Mr. Blackburn had taken an oppo- 
site view and refused at first to pay anything, but finally 
settled and brought suit to recover it back, but lost his 
case. 

There have been not a few town suits which, like the 
one in question, have stirred the community to its very 
foundation, notably, Walpole i^j. Gray, which was a closely 
contested political quarrel over school money. It was 
finally settled by the defendant, but has never yet been 
settled in the minds of the public. 

This case was years after followed by Stone vs. Walpole, 
and recently by Walpole vs. the Massachusetts Chemical 
Company. All of these cases have settled important mat- 
ters and established legal precedents for all like cases. 

[154] 



The latter case was decided according to what has always 
been regarded the true state of facts, that neither Black- 
burn nor any one claiming under him had anything but 
a mere winter's flowage. As that was granted on the 
ground of mutual and general benefit, the subsequent fail- 
ure on the part of the owner of the privilege for nearly a 
century to do his part, ought, in good conscience and jus- 
tice, to release from all lands flowed any easement or 
further obligation whatsoever. People \\ ho, out of natural 
goodnessof heart, accommodate then" less fortunate neigh- 
bors should never be imposed upon. 

The Common had long been a subject of discussion. 
Twice it had been graded after the removal of the little 
knoll of early days. In 1829, the town gratefully accepted 
its second enlargement, under the following vote: "Voted 
to accept of the land ofi^ered by Capt. Warren Clap and 
others for a common, and smooth and level the same in 
such a manner that it shall be safe and convenient passing 
over the same, the expense of doing the same not to exceed 
two hundred dollars." 

At the meeting May 3, 1830, it was "voted that the 
custom of offering and receiving ardent spirits as a token 
of hospitality is injurious in its tendency and ought to 
be abolished." 

The school committee chosen for the year 1831 were 
Rev. John P. B. Storer, Rev. Asahel Bigelow, Ebenezer 
Stone, Truman Clarke, and Joshua Stetson, jr. The 
schools, by that time, were firmly established. The old 
schoolhouse at what is now the west end of the Common 
was supplanted by a two-story building on Ebenezer 

[■55] 



Clap's land, where the Methodist Church now stands, 
and soon after the dwelling-house of Deacon Willard 
Lewis erected by Capt. Horatio Wood. It has been 
claimed by our fathers that a part of the small tenement 
house to the southwest of the Lewis place, sometimes 
called the Gay house, is the identical old school building. 

Nearly all the other schoolhouses have undergone a 
like change. The North has been moved from the Deacon 
Fisher neighborhood down to Main Street. The East 
schoolhouse, a long one-story building, from the rear end 
of which rose a small brick chimney, had its only door 
(a green one) a little to the left of the centre of its front, 
offset by a front window with red wooden shutters. It 
had also four windows on each side, each protected by 
the same red wooden shutters. As you entered, there 
was a vestibule, one end of which was utilized as a wood- 
house. Passing to the right, there was the school-room 
door. Around the side and rear walls of the room was a 
continuous board seat, and separated therefrom by an 
aisle were the centre forms and board seats, all in dull lead 
color. At the front left-hand corner, on a small raised 
platform, stood a small high desk and seat of the teacher. 
It first stood on the Fifth Sawmill dividend, on land of Mr. 
Allen, just above and opposite the premises of the writer. 

On the increased growth of this part of the town it was 
moved to the north end of the present school grounds, 
where, for years, it sat facing the north. It was not long, 
however, before John and George Burt, of Mattapan, were 
hired to erect its successor and the predecessor of the 
present school buildings. 

[156] 








JOSHUA STETSON, JR. 

Prominent manufacturer; Town Clerk from 1831 to 1845; 
member of the School Board for years, and in 1836, 
1837, and 1838 our Representative in General Court 




WALPOLE'S FIRST TWO-STORIED SCHOOLHOUSE 
This stood on the site of the present Methodist Church, Walpole Centre. 
The successor of the old first school building, and the scene of the writer's 
second school-teaching experience and that of many able instructors of 
the time 




A nolablc " School Dame " of the old Wulpole scliool.'i 
MISS MARY ROBICHAUX 




.4 pupil of Miss Robichaux and teacher of Principal 

Albert Boy den of the Bridgewater Normal School 

PRISCILLA G. LEWIS 

Wife of Calvin G. Plimpton 



Much might be added concerning the schools and their 
different buildings, but it would require a volume in itself. 
Besides the teachers already mentioned were Miss Robi- 
chaux, some of whose pupils are still living; Abigail Guild, 
still living, the last of a worthy family; John, Fannie, 
Martha, Priscilla, Harriet, Clara, Elizabeth, and Isaac 
Newton Lewis; Albert Boyden, Miss Boyden, Mr. Hyde, 
G. M. Hollingsworth, Henry Holmes, Mary H. Holder; 
Burgess Park, Mark Manahan, Schiller Horsford, Martha 
and Fanny Perkins; Andrew Washburn, Ella Bacon, 
Martha Metcalf, Sarah J. Morey, Miss Mann, Ellen and 
Ann Metcalf, Bainbridge Morey, Carrie A. Plimpton, 
Leonard Walker, Lizzie Robbins, Emily Chickering, 
Harriet M. Johnson, Clara F. Allen, Emily Mann, Olive 
Gray, Mary Morey, and many others, who deserve to be 
gratefully remembered. The same can be said of the 
town's school committee, although the State Board of 
Education of the present year reports that the school 
boards of the State were never so inferior and inefficient. 
The advice of our chairman in 1862 should be heeded. 
He says: 

"We beg you, fellow citizens, give to the Committee this cooperation 
and the confidence which must inspire it. If we are not entitled to this 
confidence and cooperation, put in our places those who are. But as 
you love your children and would prepare them to meet the responsi- 
bilities of the future, watch over, support and cherish our system of 
Free Public Schools." 

In 1802 the Walpole Light Infantry was formed under 
Capt. Samuel Fales, with high leather chapeau with sil- 
vered brass mountings and sheeptail cockade, and the 

[■57] 



small haversack, with its W. L. I. This heavy hat gave 
way afterwards to a cap, and the heavy flintlock to one 
more light and trim. 

Down to the Revolutionary War the old matchlock was 
in common use. It was so heavy as to require a rest in 
firing. It is no wonder that it often proved more dis- 
astrous to the owner than the foe. His whole family 
might easily he tomahawked and scalped before the un- 
wieldy and uncertain firearm could be made efi'ective. 

Capt. Warren Clap commanded this Light Infantry 
in the 1812 War, on its march to Boston and the coast. 

In the fall of 18 14 our grandfathers were called out to 
again repel the British. 

Roster of Captain Warren Clap's Co., Col. Valentine's Regi- 
ment, Mass. Militia in War of 1812-14, Called out by the 
Governor to repel a threatenel invasion. Service ren- 
dered AT Boston from September 10 to October 30, 18 14. 
Company raised in Walpole and Vicinity 



Warren Clap, Captain 
Samuel Mason, Lieutenant 
Daniel Hartshorn, Ensign 
Harvey Boyden, Sergt 
Henry Plimpton, Sergt 
Otis Hartshorn, Sergt 
Pitts Smith, Sergt 
Daniel Boyden, Musician 
Horace Guild, Musician 
Lewis Guild, Musician 
Joseph W. Gray, Musician 
Jason Williams, Musician 
Daniel Allen, Private 
Reuben Allen, Private 



Samuel Allen, Private 
Warren Allen, Private 
|ason Boyden, Private 
Warren Boyden, Private 
Bradish Clap, Private 
Curtis Clap, Private 
fosiah Day, Private 
Jeremiah Day, Jr., Private 
WiUard KUis, Private 
Lewis Kales, Private 
Abijah Pales, Private 
Josiah Hill, Private 
Josiah Hall, Private 
Willard Hall, Private 




AN OFFICER IN THE OLD WALPOLE 
LIGHT INFANTRY 

One of Parson Morey's young men. An 
organizer of the original Orthodox So- 
ciety, its first organist, and the father 
of John W. Lewis. Sergt. William 
Lewis, third cousin of Sergt. William 
Lewis of Capt. William Bacon's Croivn 
Point Company in 1755-56 




JOHN W. LEWIS 

Eminent conductor, composer, and teacher of both 
vocal and instnnncntal music 



Richard Hartshorn, Private Ziba Plimpton, Private 

Isaac Levi^is, Private Daniel Plimpton, Private 

Aaron Lewis, Private Elias Plimpton, Private 

John Lewis, Private John A Pond, Private 

Jason Lewis, Private Joseph Robbins, Private 

Samuel Mann, Private Jeremiah Smith, Private 

Wm Mann, Private Daniel Turner, Private 

This company had prior service at Dorchester Heights. 
Captain Baldwin, after whom our well-known apple was 
called, was called to defend East Boston at the same 
time. The writer still retains his grandfather's old wooden 
canteen, gun, and uniform of this 1812 War. 

The war with Mexico, in 1845, had very little to do with 
us here, except an increased interest in politics and in 
the militia in which the Walpole Light Infantry shone 
in all its glory. One of its old canvas tents was, down 
to the Civil War, used yearly for fall seaside outings at 
Squantum, to the great joy of us children. 

At this period, the old-fashioned singing-school was in 
full favor, and with calidy-pulls and moonlight skating 
furnished almost the only recreation of the time. In hall 
and vestry on the long winter nights, both young and old 
drank of the ever refreshing fountain with a heartiness 
and satisfaction impossible of belief to the present gen- 
eration. Horace Bird, Handel Pond, John W. Lewis, 
E. M. Metcalf, William R. Smith, and others, were ever 
ready to entertain the old and instruct the young in that 
almost holy calling. 



[159] 



CHAPTER IX 

MANY were the misgivings, however, on the agita- 
tion of the extension of slave territory. The 
settlement of Kansas by lovers of human freedom received 
from but a very few here its due attention. 

WiUiam Lloyd Garrison, Theodore Parker, and a very 
few others, for years, were the only active consciences 
America showed, and even to the unhappy ending of the 
deplorable raid of the sturdy abolitionist, John Brown, 
at Harper's Ferry. Although, among the more humble 
classes, sympathy and manlmess raised many a true friend 
to the negro, few openly expressed their convictions. 

The writer recalls, even now, the almost doomlike 
silence and dread when Francis W. Bird, an early disciple 
of Garrison, boldly draped the columns and front of his 
mill office, in the east part of the town, in respect and grief 
for that untimely fall of slavery's great martyr, John 
Brown of Osawatomie. 

Nor was the feeling materially difl^erent before the mur- 
derous onslaught on Charles Sumner in the capitol at 
Washington. Preston Brooks little imagmed the coming 
effect of those cruel blows. 

Sumner, in the eyes of fast increasing numbers here, 
stood forth not only the foremost champion of the down- 

[i6o] 




HON. F. W. BIRD ON LEAVING BROWN UNIVERSITY 



trodden slave, but their most glorious martyr. And when, 
after his recovery to temporary health, he came to Wal- 
pole, the whole country around eagerly flocked to hear 
and see him. 

The old orthodox church was unable to hold the throng. 
Settees were placed closely in the vestibule and aisles. 
There was not even standing room, and from the beginning 
to the end of that speech every eye feasted on its hero in 
almost deathlike silence. 

From that time on the enslaved negro did not lack here 
sympathetic friends. The temperance question, which 
under the name of theWashingtonian Movement, in which 
Rev. Edwin Thompson was prominent, had for years ab- 
sorbed all others, in a trice gave way to that of universal 
freedom. It is impossible for the present generation to 
realize the intensity or sacredness of our experience then. 

There was bitter feeling, however, after the Fremont 
unsuccessful campaign. Men who had large interests in 
the iron and cabinet trade with the South and West began 
to be severe in their excited denunciation of the slave and 
of abolitionism. It was a common retort by even mem- 
bers of the churches that the blood of the imminent 
struggle would, at the judgment, be upon the skirts of the 
Abolitionist and all his sympathizers. And, ever in- 
creasing, the excitement continued till the election of 
Abraham Lincoln, when all, even the Republicans, began 
to see to what the country was tending. The huge wooden 
axes of Lincoln and Hamlin societies suddenly turned 
into iron and steel. 

The shot on Sumter alone returned our town to a sane 

[i6i] 



and worthy patriotism. The President's call for three- 
months men met with ready response. Men, boys, caught 
the war lever. Nor did our disaster at Bull Run much 
change the deep sentiment. It rather deepened their 
ardor and strengthened their courage. 

Daily young men left the shop, counting-room, and fields 
for Boston, and gaily returned with a ribbon in their 
buttonhole, quietly explaining that they had enlisted. 
Fortunate those who again returned to peaceful life. 

The remains of E. Brigham Piper, Martin Fisher, Lieut. 
Henry Godbold, and others early brought home here 
saddened but did not weaken our lively patriotism. Fairs, 
apple-paring bees, and lint depositaries busily furnished 
supplies for the hospital and the field. Hardly a family 
of any size but was represented in the ranks. 

The tablets placed in our town hall to commemorate 
our sacrifices in the long war for freedom and the integrity 
of the nation read as follows: 

The citizens of Walpole, honoring the faithful services of their sons 
in aiding to suppress RebelHon, and maintain the integrity of the 
Nation, have erected these tablets: 

In Memoriam 

Elbridge B. Piper, died April l8, 1862, in hospital at Nev^burne, N. C. 
John W. Frizell, died May 18, 1862, in hospital at Port Royal, S. C. 
Patrick Heme, killed in battle at Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862. 
John E. McKew, killed in battle at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862. 
Henry L. Godbold died in hospital at Washington, D. C, Sept. 27, 
1862, of wounds received in battle. 

Martin L. Fisher, died Aug. 18, 1862, in New "I'ork. 
James S. Gilmore, died Feb. 26, 1863, in hospital. 

[162I 



William C. Manter, died Feb. 13, 1863, in hospital at Fairfax, Va. 
John G. Woods, died June 30, 1864, in hospital at City Point. 
Samuel Jackson, died July 6, 1864, in hospital at Washington, D. C, 
of wounds received in battle. 

Charles N. Spear, died Oct. 29, 1864, in hospital at Newburne, N. C. 
Lowell E. Hartshorn, died Dec. 16, 1864, in Andersonville Prison, Ga. 

Roll of Honor — 1861-1865 
David W. Lewis, Capt. Vt. 9th Regt. 
Henry L. Godbold, ist Lieut, ist Penn. Artillery 
Silas E. Stone, Asst. Surgeon, 23d Mass. Regt. 
Samuel N. Piper, q.m. Sergt. 23d Mass. Regt. 
James W. Bacon, Sergt. 33d Mass. Regt. 
Jason Lewis, Sergt. 46th Mass. Regt. 
Charles N. Spear, Corp. 23d Mass. Regt. 
John W. Frizell, Corp. 28th Mass. Regt. 
Wm. F. Drugan, Regt. i. 
John M. Drugan, Regt. 2. 
Henry W. Stevens, Regt. 7. 
Patrick E. Driscoll, Regt. 12. 
Charles E. Leland, Regt. 13. 



Regiment 18 
George H. F. Alford N. H. F. Richardson 



George W. Lewis 
John Wiggin 
John H. Smith 
Patrick Heme 

Edward Clinton 
Warren Bacon 
M. B. Hartshorn 
Warren Mylod 
Elbridge B. Piper 
Melzar W. Allen 



John McGinnis 
George E. Dorethy 
Job. Ramsbottom 



Regiment 23 



Daniel G. Shepard 
S. S. Hartshorn 
Joshua Allen 
Harlin P. Baker 
Patrick Flood 
Battalion 16 



[163] 



Regiment 26 
Henry E. Achorn William T. Reeney 

Regiment ^^ 
James E. Blackington John C. Nickerson 

James A. Daggett Silas W. Nickerson 

John Daily Fred Sheridan 

Michael Griffin George W. Young 

Lewis A. Hall 

Regiment 35 
John E. McKew 

Regiment 39 
Benjamin M. Briggs 



Regiment 42 



Ebenezer B. Park 
Simon E. Eisher 
George W. Gay 
George H. Gill 



Milton E. Eales 
Patrick E. Kirby 
Thomas Shea (26) 
Paul V. Smith 



Ira Fisher 



Regiment 44 



Albion G. Achorn 
Asa W. Bowditch 
Nathan W. Eisher 
James S. Gilmore 
James E. Hutchinson 
Charles J. Rhodes 
Josiah Eowler 
Stephen T. Baker 
Henry C. Euller 



Willard M. Babbitt 
Robert H. Duff 
Albert Eisher 
Lowell E. Hartshorn 
George W. Nickerson 
Henry A. Thomas 
Winslow E. Brown 
Horace B. Hartshorn 
Erancis H. Eales 



[164] 



Charles L. Gray Luman W. Gilmore 

Fred A. Hartshorn John A. Nudd 

Edwin B. Ridge Francis A. Tisdale 

James A. Lewis Horace A. Spear 

Patrick Kindehan 

Regiment 56 
Edward R. Allen George H. Morse 

Regiment 58 
Samuel Jackson 

Regiment 59 
John C. Woods 

Cavalry i 
Martin L. Fisher 

Battery i 
James E. Hopkins 

Cavalry 4 

Patrick Ryan Michael Kinney 

Winfield H. Scott 

Cavalry 5 
John Brown 

Battery it 
Frank L. Boyden 

Battery 14 
Wallace Kenny 

[165] 



Battery i6 



John E. Earley 
James A. Boyden 
Robert W. Stevens 



Julius Boyden 
James A. Battersby 
James A. Mitchell 



1st. R. I. Artillery 
William G. Manter William H. Lyon 

Albert F. Merrill John A. Gray 

John Campbell John Higgins 

Horace C. Briggs 



U. S. Navy 



Samuel E. Guild 
Philo Bailey 
Jason E. Cowden 
Charles H. Hickox 
Oniaslion Kaufman 
Joseph Luce 
Michael Robison 
George A. Russell 
Martin Thomas 
William Spain 
John McCarty 
Thomas Ryon 
George D. Campbell 



Frederick A. GrifFen 
Henrich Backer 
Charles H. Haskell 
Frank Hotchkiss 
George Mansfield 
Morten Personlius 
Norman A. Sacket 
Alex T. Rummalls 
Frederick Lumberd 
Moses Day 
Isaac Hixon 
Mark Glann 
Albin M. Piper 



[i66] 




DEACON HENRY PLIMPTON 

Father of Calvin G. and Henry M. Plimptim 



CHAPTER X 

THE town of Walpole was, as can be seen from the 
foregoing, separated from the mother town, Ded- 
ham, solely on the matter of convenience, the convenience 
of managing affairs of both town and church. Home was 
its foundation, the church and school its immediate super- 
structure. 

Its first minister, the Rev. Joseph Belcher, owing to 
domestic difficulties, after a few years of earnest and 
laborious work, without a church buildmg and without 
proper support, holding his little flock together in any 
dwelling offered for the purpose, soon left town for a 
Southern field of labor. 

His successor, the Rev. Phillips Payson, came to town 
on June 8, 1729 (old style), and remained, through a life- 
long ministry of some 48 years, our only minister, dying 
Jan. 22, 1778. 

He was thrice married, his wives being, first, Anne 
Swift, of Framingham; second, the widow Kezia Morse, 
of Medfield; and the third, the widow Sarah Mather, of 
Pomfret, a kinswoman. 

His family were of more than common ability, and the 
town should entertain for them more than the usual 
regard vouchsafed to those of the early past. The sons 

[■67] 



Phillips, John, Samuel, and Seth especially lay claim to 
our respect and admiration. The family has been so 
fully referred to in a recent address by the writer, it is 
needless to more than casually refer to it here. 

For some years after the Rev. Phillips Payson's death, 
the town chose no successor. He had lived through two 
wars that severely taxed the country's resources, and had 
seen approaching the commg though deplored struggle 
for independence. His remains rest in the old Walpole 
cemetery on Main Street, a little north of his old parsonage. 

After enjoying the ministration of the Rev. Huntington 
Porter for some time, an attempt to settle him was made, 
but defeated. 

It was not until the Rev. George Morey appeared, 
March 10, 1783, that the town seemed willing to again 
settle any one. 

With him came also a new meeting-house, sixty feet 
long, and forty feet wide. All the material of the old 
building suitable was used in the new. In 1791 a bell was 
placed in the belfry. There was an eastern and a western 
entrance. 

Mr. Morey, also, was a graduate of Harvard College, 
a man of culture and of striking peculiarities. It is said 
that he used a system of cipher in writing his sermons so 
that none but he could read and use them. It is also 
reported that he, just before his death, destroyed pretty 
much all his manuscripts, but when his old home on the 
Medfield road was destroyed by fire a few years ago, it was 
said that a collection of his old sermons and some books, 
bricked up in the old chimney, were included in the ruins. 

[.68] 



He wore the regular cocked hat, long queue fastened 
by a ribbon, knee breeches and pumps, to the last, and 
carried in his advanced age a substantial cane, the bane 
of many a youth he stopped on the street to catechize. 

He had the street from the meeting-house to his home 
straightened, improved, and bounded on each side by a 
suitable fence, at the town's expense, and over the short 
way he used to drive in horse and chaise, starting for 
church at the first sound of the bell. His old horse, as 
familiar with the call from the church tower as his mas- 
ter's "kedup," when one day, it is said, the reverend 
gentleman failed to approach his carriage with his usual 
punctuality, immediately set out for the church alone, 
and on arriving at the meeting-house, after waiting suffi- 
ciently for his master's ahghtment, appropriately moved 
on to his shed behind. 

It is left to imagination to depict what was the impres- 
sion made on the mind and feelings of Mr. Morey on this 
occasion. 

On one occasion one of his church was discussing with 
deep concern the subject of universal sin, and was much 
taken by surprise by his pastor's volunteered advice that 
he had better go home and consider his own sins, and he 
would have plenty to occupy his officious attention for 
one while. There is no doubt the good man's weakness 
was keenly touched. 

There was formed during this period the first Library 
Association, which soon developed into a Historical So- 
ciety. Before the Rev. Mr. Morey died, July 26, 1829, 
a colleague was chosen, Nov. 15, 1826, in the Rev. John 

[169] 



p. B. Storer, also a graduate of Harvard College, and of 
a more than usual inquiring and progressive mind. This 
led him, like William Ellery Channing, Theodore Parker, 
and others, to absorb much new thought which soon led 
to Unitarianism. 

This led ultimately to the first division of the old church 
and society. Those still clmgmg to the old ideas of the 
Trinity petitioned for a separation so that they might 
worship according to the dictates of their own consciences, 
but before the petition was granted they withdrew, and 
on Oct. 4, 1826, met together and subscribed to the fol- 
lowing agreement: 

"We, the subscribers, heretofore members of the Congregational 
Society in Walpole, lately under the pastoral care of the Rev. George 
Morey, do hereby manifest our secession from said society, and do 
agree, by setting our signature hereunto, to unite in forming another 
religious society in said I own of Walpole by the name ot the Orthodox 
Congregational Society of Walpole, and do adopt the following rules for 
the constitution ot said society: 

"i. Said society at their first meeting under this agreement shall 
elect one of the members as clerk, who shall record all the votes which 
are passed by the society. 

"2. At the first meeting shall also be elected from among the mem- 
bers a standing committee of five in number, who shall have the manage- 
ment of all the concerns of the society according to the votes of said 
society. 

"3. At the same meeting shall also be elected a committee of three 
whose duty it shall be to make certificates, for the purpose of giving 
notice according to law to the first society in Walpole, who are members 
of the society hereby formed. 

"4. The society shall have the right to make all such by-laws, as they 
shall think fit to adopt from time to time, for the better carrying the 

[ 170] 



purposes of the society into effect. Joshua Allen, Samuel Allen, Na- 
thaniel P. Fisher, David Lewis, George P. Ellis, Henry Plimpton, 
William Lewis, Josiah Hill, Warren Wild, Jonathan Wild, Daniel 
Payson, Nathaniel Bird, Horatio Wood, Oliver Lincoln, Joseph Robbms, 
Sabin Ellis, Aaron Guild, Asa Fisher, Joel Fisher, William Fisher, 
Isaac Fisher, John Blackburn, Lewis Allen, Lewis Hartshorn, Liffie 
Smith, Mason Smith, Nathan Ware, Andrew Bird, Asa Hartshorn, 
George W. Kingsbury, John Morse, Thomas Frost, Jotham Morse, Jr., 
David Clap, John Hunt, Otis Clap, Lewis Clap, Amos Bardens, Harvey 
Ruggles, Daniel Ellis, Peter Smith, John Smith, Jr., Metcalf Smith, 
Wm. Kingsbury, Marcus Gilmore, Jacob Kingsbury, Ziba Baker, 
Willard Baker, Eli Bonney, Silas Fales, Moses Smith, Artemas Smith, 
Daniel Fisher, Benjamin N. Gay, Josiah Day, Lyman S. Ware, Charles 
Bonney, Warren Fales, Jason Clapp, Daniel Allen, Jason Lewis, Aaron 
Lewis, Jonathan Bird, Elijah Thompson, David Allen, Hermon Guild, 
Seth Clark, Josiah Hall, Joseph Guild, Eliphalet Ellis, Enoch Ellis 
Warren Fisher, John P. Bowker, Jerusha Clap, Rhoda Bird, Kesiah 
Kingsbery, Susan Lewis, Catherine Allen, Catherine Everett, Miriam 
Smith, Mercy Billings, Edward Brown. 

The church, which was a part of and connected with 
the above society, was organized Nov. 13, 1826, by a 
council of ministers and delegates, at the house of Catherine 
Allen, situated at the corner of High Plain and Peach 
Street. Twenty-nine persons then and there assented 
to and signed the "Confession of Faith" and entered 
into "Covenant" with God and with each other: Henry 
Plimpton, Aaron Guild, Joshua Allen, Jonathan Wild, 
Rhoda Bird, Kesiah Thompson, Lucy Nason, Phebe 
Robbins, Nabby Robbins, Kesiah Kingsbury, Susanna 
Plimpton, Mercy Billings, Anna Ellis, Lucy Morse, 
Cynthia Guild, Priscilla Lewis, Catherine Everett, Sarah 
Smith, Catherine Allen, Mary Nason, jerusha Clap, 

[171] 



Miriam Smith, Susanna Lewis, Milley Baker, Joanna 
Hill, Patty Bowker, Unity Allen. 

For about a year this church worshiped in the old 
hall, so dear to old music lovers, the home of the old 
singing school, over Henry Allen's store, which stood 
some seventy-five feet back of the present Plimpton Block. 
There, until they could call a pastor, they were ministered 
unto by the Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher, Rev. Mr. Burgess, 
Rev. Dr. Codman, and other eminent ministers of the 
orthodox faith. 

A lot of land was soon after deeded to Daniel Allen, 
Sr., by Moses Fellt, Charlotte Wild, and Gushing Otis, 
on the easterly side of the road from Joshua Allen's house 
to Henry Allen's store. On this convenient but other- 
wise undesirable spot, after many sacrifices, at a cost 
of three thousand dollars, their first house of worship 
was erected, and in September, 1827, dedicated, the Rev. 
Dr. Codman preaching the sermon. 

In 1837 the society voted that any persons connected 
with the society have the privilege to put a building on 
the society's land for a vestry, which led, soon after, to 
the building of a vestry beneath a part of the church, 
with its entrance door facing the street. This was used 
for prayer-meetings, singing schools, and other useful 
church work. The main door of the church was reached 
by a broad flight of steps erected in front of the building. 

In 1850 the increased attendance made necessary the 
erection of galleries on three sides of the interior. The 
women and girls always occupied the eastern and the 
men and boys the western; even for some time men and 

[172] 




THE FIRST ORTHODOX CHURCH OF WALPOLE 

Dedicated by Rev. Dr. Codman of Dorchester The Rev. Asahel 
Bigelow Meeting-House on East Street, Walpole Centre 





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women arranged themselves on different sides of the vestry, 
as in the first Dedham churches. The front gallery was 
devoted to the choir and organ. 

The first settled minister of this church was the Rev. 
Asahel Bigelow, like the minister of the mother church 
a graduate of Harvard College. He was installed March 
12, 1828. 

The society was still considered as belonging to the old 
parish and was for some time taxed for the support of 
the ministry there. Strong feeling was excited against 
the seceders, which did not die out until a very recent 
period and often caused great harm. 

These taxes finally became so burdensome, payment 
was refused. The Rev. Mr. Bigelow peaceably paid his, 
but the Rev. Mr. Storer is said to have returned it. 

There were, however, many that would not pay; so 
one of the offenders, Nathaniel P. Fisher, who lived on 
East Street just east of the place of Joshua Allen, was 
arrested. The members of this society under protest 
paid his tax, and brought suit for its recovery. The 
suit was decided in their favor, which put an end to the 
whole vexatious matter. The losing counsel was the 
Hon. Horace Mann, who in his argument referred to 
the new society as being only a few old women, which 
seemed too suggestive to the male portion to be relished. 

In January, 1849, Mr. Bigelow removed to Hancock, 
N. H., where he labored for twenty years, and died at 
the ripe old age of eighty years. 

The second pastor of this church was the Rev. George 
H. Newhall, a graduate of Amherst College in the class 

[■73] 



of 1845. He was installed Sept. 10, 1850. His ministry 
was notable but short, owing to feeble constitution and 
nervous temperament, but long enough to endear him 
to all with whom he came in contact. He died Aug. 24, 
1853, at the age of twenty-seven years, and was buried 
in the burial lot of Deacon Everett Stetson in the Rural 
Cemetery. 

The third pastor was the Rev. Edwin H. Nevin, who 
was installed Nov. 15, 1854. After a short pastorate, 
the general state of church affairs led to his dismissal 
by council to accept a call to the Plymouth Church, 
Chelsea, April 7, 1857. 

For two years the pulpit of this church was suppHed 
until choice was finally made of the Rev. Joseph W. 
Healey. He was installed Sept. 14, 1859, and remained 
in charo-e until 1862. He was then called to the Hanover 
Congreo-ational Church of Milwaukee, Wis. He was 
so kind and anxious for the good of children, all now 
remember him with pleasure. 

The Rev. Edward G. Thurber was the fifth pastor. 
He was ordained Oct. 29, 1862, and installed Oct. 14, 
1863. He was active, earnest, and successful, but in 
1870, after an exemplary ministry, removed to the Park 
Presbyterian Church, of Syracuse, N. Y., and has been 
until recently over the American Church in Paris, France. 

The sixth pastor was the Rev. Hemon R. Timlow, of 
East Cambridge, who was installed Sept. 28, 1870, and 
dismissed by council July 26, 1872. 

He was succeeded by Rev. Bela N. Seymour, who, 
after a year, was called to Ipswich, N. H. 

[174] 






' <2/^5^^^?^.^ 




THE PRESENT ORTHODOX CHURCH, EAST STREET 



The eighth pastor was the Rev. Henry L. Kendall, 
a bright and earnest preacher, but of feeble constitution. 
To him only thirty-four years were allowed in life's htful 
journey. He was ordained Jan. 27, 1875. He removed 
to the First Congregational Church of Charlestown and 
then to Minneapolis. His remains now lie in the Maple 
Grove Cemetery. 

The ninth pastor was the Rev. Calvin S. Hill, who 
was installed Sept. 27, 1876. He was courteous, kind, 
and able, and remained respected and loved by all until 
Aug. I, 1 88 1 when he removed to the First Congrega- 
tional church of Milton. 

The tenth pastor was Rev. Francis J. Marsh, Jan. 15, 
1882. On the third Sabbath of March, 1893, after a 
long, eventful, and successful ministry, he tendered his 
resignation in order to enter upon the work of secretary 
of the Congregational Sabbath School and PubHshing 
Society of Boston. 

In October, 1894, the Rev. Frank C. Putnam was 
called to the pastorate, but soon removed to the old New 
Hampshire parish of his father. 

Mr. Putnam was followed by the Rev. John L. Keedy, 
of Maryland, an earnest, industrious, and successful 
laborer in the Master's vineyard, but who is about to re- 
move to the North Andover church. He does not go 
alone, however. One of his more desirable parishioners 
has decided to accompany him. 



[I7S] 



CHAPTER XI 

AFTER the division of the old Walpole church, the 
Rev. Mr. Storer continued his ministry as usual, 
and all now can feel a personal interest and proper grati- 
tude when we remember him as the founder of the beau- 
tiful elms that adorn what is now Common Street. Truly 
he was a public benefactor. His removal to take charge 
of an important church in Syracuse in 1839 was deeply 
deplored. He and the father of James Russell Lowell 
always remained true to Theodore Parker in his lonely 
days at West Roxbury and Boston. 

Before the Rev. Mr. Storer removed, however, it was 
thought best to change the location of this church build- 
ing. This building had been built under the supervision 
of Adam Blackman in 1783. After removing the eastern 
and western porches, it was swung round rear end first, 
guided by a pole stationed between the old and new sites, 
where it rests to-day, though much changed in both 
interior and exterior. 

In August, 1839, the Rev. John M. Merrick received 
a call to become the Rev. Mr. Storer's successor, and, 
accepting, was installed the December nth following. 
At the same time occurred the rededication of the reno- 
vated church building. The Rev. George Ripley, of 

[176] 




S on 

•5 ^ 



Boston, preached the sermon to a crowded house. For 
twenty-six years Mr. Merrick patiently labored with this 
people, but in 1865 he resigned and removed to Charles- 
town, N. H., where he died March 20, 1871, leaving here 
a son, John M. Merrick, once well known as an analytical 
chemist. 

The Rev. W. B. Smith, Mr. Merrick's successor, was 
installed Oct. 5, 1865, Dr. Hedge, of Brookline, preach- 
ing the sermon, and the Rev. Mr. Merrick making the 
address to the people. 

During his ministry the galleries were taken down, 
a recess made back of the pulpit, and the pulpit lowered. 
At the reopening of the edifice, the Rev. Dr. Young, of 
the Harvard Divmity School, preached. 

Mr. Smith, on account of a threatening malady, had 
gone to Europe for change and rest. From here he 
then sent his resignation. On returning home Mr. 
Smith, after preaching a few sermons, removed to Grafton, 
and the Rev. Mr. Young continued in charge. 

Mr. Young was a scholarly man, of quiet and gentle 
manner, and well fitted for a select, intellectual, religious 
audience, but the members were few. He was never 
settled; probably because he would not consent. 

The Rev. F. P. Hamblett succeeded, and was installed 
pastor March 22, 1877, Rev. J. F. Lovering preaching 
the sermon. He remained five years, and was greatly 
liked as a preacher and minister, although suffering from 
ill health. In 1882 he resigned, to retire to his old New 
Hampshire home, where he hoped to recover. 

In November, 1882, the Rev. J. H. Weeks first preached 



in this church, and continued upon a long and successful 
pastorate. Mr. Weeks was peculiarly well liked as a pas- 
tor by both old and young. He was also a talented artist 
and writer. He was followed by Rev. G. H. Clare 
1891-1892, and Robert W. Savage, 1893-1901, and Rev, 
Herman Haugerud 1902-1903. 

The present pastor is the Rev. Joseph C. Allen, a 
young man full of promise, and earnestly desiring the 
highest welfare of the church and society. 

Congregational Church of East Walpole. — For years 
Mr. F. O. Winslow and Sandford Waters Billings had 
perseveringly mmistered to the spiritual wants of this 
part of the town. In April, 1877, a meeting was called 
at the house of Mrs. Seleny Smith for prayer, and to con- 
sult about celebrating the Lord's Supper. It was voted 
to request the Rev. C. B. Smith, who was settled over 
a small society in Dedham, to prepare a confession of 
faith and a covenant for the purpose of a church organi- 
zation. 

May 5 following, at another meeting held at the same 
place, it was voted to organize, and William Rhodes and 
Joseph Cheney were chosen deacons. On May 6 one 
person w^as baptized and eighteen joined in the celebra- 
tion of the Lord's Supper. July i, 1877, the Lord's 
Supper was again observed, and Ellen N. Brown, after 
baptism, admitted to the church. 

Francis W. Bird had always generously offered the 
use of his small hall, on the condition, however, that all 
religious denominations should be equally welcomed. 
The Rev. Mr. Smith still continued to minister to them. 

[■78] 




THE PRESENT UNITARIAN CHURCH, WALPOLE CENTRE, THE 
REV. MR. STORER'S CHURCH 




HON. FRANCIS W. BIRD 

Manujddrircr iind man eminent in affaira of 
the town and state 



Sept. 3, 1877, William Rhoads, Samuel G. Fuller, and 
J. A. Brown were chosen to consider calling a council 
to recognize the church and recommend it to the fellow- 
ship of other churches. 

On Oct. 18, 1880, an ecclesiastical council assembled 
at Bird Hall, of which Rev. C. G. Hill, of the Walpole 
church, was chosen moderator and Rev. Mr. Weston 
scribe. The churches of Walpole, Sharon, Norwood, 
Dedham, and Revere sent delegates, who voted to recog- 
nize and recommend the church. April 20, 1881, the 
church was admitted to full membership in the Massa- 
chusetts Suffolk South Conference. 

June 6, 1882, at a meeting held at the house of WiUiam 
Rhodes, it w^as voted to erect a church building. For 
over a hundred years many of the families in this part of 
the town had worshiped with the church in South Ded- 
ham, beginning in 1732, and some had not yet parted 
with their legal rifrhts there. WiUiam Rhodes, Mr. and 
Mrs. Samuel G. Fuller, and Simon Gould were chosen 
trustees, and the latter treasurer, of the new society. 

On Oct. 14, 1882, Deacon William Rhodes presented 
them sufficient land on the southerly side of Union Street 
for their proposed new church building. This was built, 
and dedicated May 18, 1883, at which the Rev. A. H. 
Plumb, of Boston, preached the sermon. The cost of the 
buildinp; was about two thousand dollars. The Rev. Mr. 
Smith and the Rev. Mr. Bickford for years supplied the 
pulpit. 

The Rev. Mr. Perkins, a faithful and popular pastor, 
for some years officiated as pastor. The Rev. John L. 

[ 179] 



Keedy has of late, in connection with his church in the 
Centre, ministered to their spiritual wants. 

Methodist Episcopal Churcl?, South fValpole. — In l8l8, 
the Rev. Benjamin Haines came to this part of the town 
and introduced the doctrine of Methodism. Mr. Eliphalet 
Smith opened his house to the newcomer, and there the 
first meetings were held. The next year. Rev. Isaac 
Jennison, of Mansfield, formed here a class. 

In 1822 Josiah Hall and others organized a church, 
and for thirty-five years thereafter Mr. Hall remained 
one of its chief officers. Its first pastor was the Rev. 
Francis Dane. There was no church building until 1830. 
It was built on the site of the parsonage given by Silas 
Smith. The Rev. Lewis Bates preached at its dedica- 
tion. 

In 1846 a new church building at the cost of three 
thousand seven hundred dollars was erected during the 
pastorate of Rev. D. L. Winslow, and was dedicated by 
the Rev. Dr. Charles Adams. Josiah Hall, Silas Smith, 
Caleb S. EUis, R. Clap, J. Boyden, A. Ellis, and M. 
Smith were chosen trustees. 

At a revival in 1834 this church received many valuable 
additions, notably Luman Boyden and Willard Smith, 
who afterward became useful ministers of the gospel. 
The church is usually supplied, but is in a fairly prosper- 
ous condition. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of JValpole Centre. — 
For years Mr. and Mrs. N. B. Winslow, in the north part 
of the town, had labored zealously in the cause of Method- 
ism, and not without due results. After many sacrifices 

[180] 




THE METHODIST CHURCH, SOUTH WALPOLE 

On the site of the first Methodist parsonage 



and much labor a church was formed in the Centre, with 
a membership of twelve, of which the Rev. Mr. Noon was 
the first minister. He was followed by the Rev. J. H. 
Vincent, who is pleasantly remembered. Following him 
came Rev. H. V. Webster, Rev. E. Comstock, Rev. E. C. 
Farwell, one year each, the earnest Rev. F. O. Holman 
two years; Rev. M. D. Hornbeck, one year; the Rev. A. A. 
Kidder, one year; and others. The pulpit is always 
supplied by the conference, which has usually sent 
useful and able young men, largely students in the Boston 
University Divinity School. 

For years Nathan W. Fisher has been its secretary and 
treasurer, and by earnest and self-sacrificing labor has 
kept the church together and at last secured a church 
building on the site of the old two-storied Centre school, 
which is an ornament to the centre of the town and an 
important factor in the religious advancement of the 
entire public. 

St. Francis Catholic Church. — The largest and one 
of the more prosperous churches and religious socities 
in Walpole, at present, is the St. Francis Catholic. They 
have outgrown their present building and are planning 
one more commodious and satisfactory. 

Fifty years ago the very few Catholic communicants 
here were wont to walk, like our early settlers, to Ded- 
ham town to worship. After many attempts, by holding 
public fairs, they at last became able to erect the present 
church building on East and Diamond streets. 

For years the Rev. Francis Gouesse, who had received 
his education in Paris, France, ministered to the spiritual 

[i8i] 



wants of the parish and, at his death, left it in a thriving 
condition. 

The Rev. D. H. Riley, now officiating in his place, has 
greatly added to both the moral and spiritual well-being 
of all in the parish. Young, manly, and strong, much 
permanent good cannot hut result from his earnest labor. 

St. Mark's Episcopal Church. — The latest accession 
to the churches of the town is the St. Mark's Episcopal, 
soon to be re-dedicated. Its present rector, the Rev. 
Albert E. George, was the first to successfully gather the 
small flock and start it on its present course. 

Upon his removal some years ago to his South Boston 
parish, the Rev. Samuel Lewis perseveringly ministered 
to the people. Bishop Phillips Brooks, so popular and 
dear to all religious sects, blessed also this church by his 
timely presence. A church building, after a period of 
worship in Bacon Hall, was erected on the corner of 
Common and West streets, during the pastorate of Rev. 
Wm. T. Dakin, and upon the return of the Rev. Mr. 
George to his old pastorate, a prosperous and useful life 
now seems to be again assured. 

Toiun Hall. — For many years the common place of 
meeting, both in church and town affairs, was, as its 
name clearly implies, the Meeting-house; and even down 
to the year 1881 it so continued, the vestry of the First 
Church being then in use for that purpose. This vestry 
was low studded and ill ventilated, and at a crowded town 
meeting reeked with moisture and foul air, and was dis- 
liked and avoided in spite of town-meeting cake in the 
form of long sheets of nutmeg buns. 

[182] 




FANNY S. SCUDDER (n-ef. Fanny S. Lewis) 

School-teacher, and for eighteen years missionary to 

India 



After enduring these conditions as long as they possibly 
could, several pubHc-spirited citizens resolved to secure 
an appropriation for a modern town house. They did 
not stop to consider or imagine the other difficulties in 
the way. There soon sprang up a warmly expressed 
difference of opinion about both its location and its style 
of architecture, but finally the present brick structure 
was erected on a site a part of which had been purchased 
for the Methodist church. 

On Sept. 25, 1881, the present building was dedicated. 
George E. Craig was chairman of the building committee, 
and on that occasion transferred the keys of the building 
into the hands of James G. Scott, chairman of the Board 
of Selectmen. 

Mr. Craig had prepared his part and easily read it to 
the crowded audience, but the chairman of the selectmen, 
who had for years been so eloquent in holding office, was 
utterly unable to say a word. He finally accepted the 
keys, however. 

Francis W. Bird, also, could find only a very few but 
pertinent words to say. Schoolmaster Hyde was called 
upon as an old Walpole boy. Edwin Thompson made 
one of his characteristic short speeches, but the most 
and better part of the services was an address by our 
worthy Walpole boy, Henry E. Fales, who was at his 
best. He has long since gone to his reward, but his work 
on that occasion still lives. 

Many an address has followed from that platform. 
It is hoped that they have been fully as useful and in- 
spiriting; and on the one hundred and sixty-eighth 

[183] 



anniversary of the town, moved by the general ignorance 
of his fellow-townsmen concerning its notable namesake, 
another son, in the same earnest manner, on the presenta- 
tion of an oil portrait, tried to arouse a proper interest in 
both Sir Robert Walpole and Rev. Phillips Payson. It 
bore fruit then. May it ever grow in fruitfulness. Two 
other notable gifts from other Walpole men have since 
followed: a useful and attractive band stand by Joseph j. 
Feeley, and an elaborate and much needed drinking 
fountain by George A. PHmpton. May they be appre- 
ciated. All gifts mean self-sacrifice and spring from a 
noble nature. The coarse way of regarding public gifts 
as merely vain displays of an overfilled purse is alike 
simple and vicious, and can never be tolerated by a decent 
community. 

The Public Library. — More than thirty years ago a 
few of the more studious and progressive families in the 
east part of Walpole gathered together a considerable 
number of volumes, such as were commonly read at that 
period, and set out on a modest career of moral and in- 
tellectual education. 

This was not the first worthy and successful under- 
taking of that nature in Walpole, however. The old 
Walpole Social Library of 1825, comprising the follow- 
ing members, has that honor, although on the separation 
of the orthodox society it resolved itself into a general 
historical society. 

Others than these, who joined later, such as the Rev. 
j. P. B. Storer, should be added to the following; there 
were but few new members. Asa Allen, Lewis Allen, 

[184] 




2 Si 



Nathaniel Bird, Eli Bonney, Leemon Boyden, Newell 
Boyden, George BuUard, Ebenezer W. CalifF, Harvey 
Clap, Warren Clap, Ellis Clap, Levi Clap, Maynard B. 
Clap, Curtis Clap, Metcalf Clap, Truman Clarke, Francis 
Cole, Daniel Ellis, George P. Ellis, Jason Ellis, Hartford 
Ellis, Jesse Fairbanks, Squire M. Fales, Asa Fisher, 
Wilbur Gay, John Gilbert, Henry Goff, John A. Gould, 
Alvin Guild, Brayton Hartshorn, Willard Hartshorn, 
Asa Hartshorn, Joseph Hartshorn, Catherine Hartshorn, 
Richard Hartshorn, Ebenezer Hartshorn, Otis Hartshorn, 
Joseph Hawes, Isaac Hunt, John Hunt, Fisher A. Kings- 
bury, Harlow Lawrence, WiUiam Lewis, George H. 
Mann, Sally Messinger, Palmer Morey, Daniel Payson, 
Nathaniel Polley, Jr., Ephraim Shepard, Joshua Stetson, 
Jr., Everett Stetson, Ebenezer Stone, Daniel Turner, 
Jonathan Ware, Asa Whitman, Warren Wild, Roland 
Willett, Horatio Wood. The writer has some of its 
volumes still, notably "Plutarch's Lives." 

However, the library at East Walpole was the mother 
of our present efficient town library. It was offered 
to the town, and the town, for a beginning, was glad to 
possess even the poor fiction it contained. One of the 
conditions of the gift was that its literary treasures, for a 
term of years, should be delivered free to our East Walpole 
citizens. This was faithfully kept. The new library 
the town first placed, with some few additions, in the 
southwest corner room of the town hall, and soon ex- 
tended its healthy influence to all parts of the town. 

Many years have passed since then, but its growth has 
increased, and, it is hoped, its influence for good in the 

['85] 



same proportion, until the town hall location grew entirely 
inadequate for its accommodation. 

Francis W. Bird, ever a true friend to progress, mmd- 
ful of the faithful and beneficent life of his daughter, 
Mary R. Bird, left by his will a legacy of ^3,000 for a 
library building. This encouraged certain citizens, not 
realizing the demoralizing effect of their hasty and 
ill-considered project, to secure a new building in the 
quickest possible way. The great public benefactor in 
libraries both here and abroad, Andrew Carnegie, was 
approached for assistance. He offered the town $15,000 
on the condition that $1,500 should be annually appro- 
priated for the library's support. By persevering labor, 
enough more was secured to erect the present new build- 
ing on Common Street. The success of the undertaking 
was materially advanced by a timely gift of the site by 
Mr. Bird's son, Charles Sumner Bird. It was a beautiful 
offering, and should have been followed by such a public- 
spirited response that the town would have been spared 
the humiliating and pauperizing experience of begging 
assistance from an entire stranger. 

The Walpole Woman's Club, and the Wednesday Chib. 
— Even the briefest history should not omit woman's 
helpful assistance in moral and religious education and 
achievements. The patient, whole-souled mother of the 
past, the child-loving, burden-bearing wife of our youth, 
is being fast supplanted by a far different order of woman, 
who strives to emulate man in all his varied activities. 
Hence the "club," whose only justification can be in the 
great possibilities for general good. In 1895 the Walpole 

[186] 




MARY R. BIRD 

Faithful co-worker for the Public Schools and 

Town Library 




A TYPICAL, MODEL WIFE AND MOTHER OF THE 
LAST CENTURY, IN HER EIGHTY-FOURTH YEAR 



Woman's Club was formed at the centre of the town, with 
Martha M. Allen president, and Harriet R. Gray vice- 
president. In 1900 Mrs. Allen was succeeded by Helen 
M. Way, who was followed by Minnie Merrick in 1902, 
and Annie M. Stowell in 1903. In several fields of general 
work much good has been accomplished, particularly 
in the schools and a general increased sociability among 
the different religious bodies. Scoffing at the good and 
true is now confined to a very insignificant few. Like a 
church, by avoiding the weaknesses of its officers, a whole 
society can rise to higher levels and much other good be 
accomplished. 

The Wednesday Club of the east part of the town, as 
old and helpful as its sister society in the Centre, has 
always been under the presidency of Anna C. Bird, who 
in many ways has filled the place of her unselfish sister- 
in-law, Mary R. Bird of pleasant memory. This club 
has the advantage of a club-house, well appointed and 
convenient to both electric and steam roads. Between 
one and two thousand dollars are annually appropriated 
by this club, between its good intentions and actual 
accomplishments. Clubs, like cities and towns, never 
get full value or credit for either time or money, and for 
this reason, if for no other, the utmost care should be 
taken in the selection of objects for special work. No 
village of its size can boast of better equipment or greater 
achievements than this well-known club. In a place 
where originated our Public Library, the High School, 
and open advocacy of universal freedom, it has every 
incentive to lead in every good and useful work. 

[■87] 



The Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol County Truant 
School. — Soon after the close of the Civil War, Joel and 
Olive Lev^^is Fales erected a large and attractive dwelling- 
house on their land, on the summit of the old training 
ground and powder depository known as Powder House 
Hill, located near the centre of the town. Both had 
ample means, and the uncommon beauty and attractive- 
ness ot the site justified the notable buildings they planned 
for their permanent future home. Never possessing 
robust health, in spite of travel and recreation for physi- 
cal benefit, both husband and wife rapidly sank to their 
graves. The beautiful home, not long after, became a 
part of the sanitarium field of Dr. Cullis, of Grove Hall, 
Boston. Upon his death, the county commissioners of 
Norfolk, Plymouth, and Bristol counties, in need of 
some convenient place for carrying into effect new legal 
requirements concerning persistent and incorrigible truant 
scholars, secured the premises and immediately made 
improvements necessary for their future purposes. Here 
many boys, and a few girls, have since found wise and 
helpful training and discipline to upbuild and strengthen 
against natural waywardness. The superintendents and 
teachers have always been equal to the great task officially 
imposed upon them and have generally received due 
encouragement and respect from the people of the town. 

Joel Fales, the original owner of the premises, in con- 
nection with his father-in-law, Deacon Willard Lewis, 
invented many useful mechanical devices for the latter's 
manufactures. His brother, Charles Fales, soon entered 
the employ of Mr. Lewis, and at his death left a son, 

[■88] 



Lewis F. Fales, who now, in emulation of his predecessors, 
is still conducting one of the most important branches of 
Walpole's many and varied manufactures, that of con- 
structing and designing intricate and useful machinery. 
From Eleazer Smith's card and nail and Ira Gill's hat 
machinery to the daily product of this shop is a long step, 
but the public can well feel proud of both old and new 
Walpole achievements. 

There are many things that might well be added to a 
historic volume of fully as much interest as anything in 
the foregoing pages, — biography, genealogy and anec- 
dote, — but both time and space prevent. 

The town has always been blessed by abundant water 
power, and means of transportation. The Neponset 
River and its tributaries, and ever since the completion 
of the old Norfolk County steam railroad, its successor, 
the Boston, Hartford & Erie, the New York & New 
England, and now^ the New York, New Haven & Hart- 
ford, have all fostered our manufactures The advent of 
electric roads has also been a constantly increasing pub- 
lic advantage. 

In earlier days, we had the old-time stage-coach and 
four on three of our principal throughfares, and the two 
old buildings. Fuller and PoUey taverns, on opposite 
sides of Washington Street in the south part of the town, 
bravely testify both to the importance of stage-coach 
travel and their own great usefulness. The old Roebuck 
Tavern, where Lafayette once was entertained, on the 
corner of the old Post Road and Coney Street in the east 
part of the town, also deserves attention. Even the 

[189] 



old milestone erected by Ezekiel Robbins, the keeper of 
the old Brass Ball Tavern near the Lewis batting mills, 
which thirty years ago stood west of Powder House Hill 
on the road to the Plain (once a coach road, with John 
Needham's old tavern this side of the Horace Guild house,) 
but now removed to the town hall, is eloquent with inter- 
est. Who now remembers John Needham, or that he car- 
ried on his staoes free all that would leave his rival ? 

Manufactures. — Long before this part of Dedham 
was settled, a grant was made to Eleazer Lusher and 
Joshua Fisher to build and operate a sawmill here, near 
the Great Cedar Swamp, that has, already, been minutely 
referred to. It, like most of the industries of Walpole, 
was on or near the Neponset River. This was followed 
by the sawmill of Ebenezer Fales on what is now Spring 
Brook, and Mr. Morse on Stop River. On the first map 
of Walpole, that of 1794, there is represented a sawmill 
at Blackburn's, and a grist-mill at Stetson's. 

Neponset River, from its source to the mill of Hollings- 
worth and Vose in the east part of the town, has the 
combined fall of one hundred and fifty-one feet. 

Beginning in the south part of the town, the fall at the 
old Elbridge Smith pond is fourteen feet. Timothy Gay, 
of Dedham, operated a grist-mill there, in old coach-run- 
ning days of 18 14. Besides grinding grain, he acted as 
toll-gate keeper at a gate near his mill. Here Daniel and 
Elbridge Smith afterwards built a mill for the manufac- 
ture of cotton goods. Here, also, Sumner, of Canton, 
afterwards made rubber lining, and Bradford Lewis 
made cotton from clippings. 

[190] 



The next privilege on the river was that of Henry S. 
Clarke, and has a fall of tv^^enty-one feet. In 1750 
Theodore Mann manufactured cloth here, as also did his 
son Col. Timothy Mann, and his grandson Timothy 
Mann. In 1812 there were two distinct privileges here. 
Col. Mann, clothier, occupied the lower; James Richard- 
son & Co. made nails at the upper. The Boston and 
Walpole Manufacturing Co., of which the Hon. Truman 
Clarke was agent here, afterwards carried on the same 
business. Upper Mill was rebuilt by Eli Bonney, Leavitt 
Kingsbury, and David Ruggles. In 1820 broadcloths 
and cassimeres were here manufactured by Howe & 
Richardson. The Hon. Truman Clarke, having married 
a daughter of Timothy Mann, came into possession of 
the mill, and for years used it for the manufacture of 
woolen goods, broadcloths, and cassimeres. The lower 
mill, after burning, was never rebuilt. In 1836 John 
Mann began here to manufacture boots and shoes, and 
joined Mr. Clarke in the partnership of Clarke & Mann. 
They bought and converted the old Boston & Providence 
Coach Company's stable, part into a shoe shop, part into 
a dwelling-house. The business is said to have been one 
hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year. 

Afterwards, in 1851, Mr. Clarke's son, Henry S. Clarke, 
united with Naaman Wilmarth, and made stocking yarn 
here. Mr. Wilmarth retiring from the business in 1862, it 
was continued by Mr. Clarke until his death in 1881. His 
son W. H. Clarke has, at tim.es, since run the mill, but on 
the advent of the Norfolk Electric Street Railroad Company 
sold the building for their future use in railroading. 

[191] 



V 



The old Rucaduc privilege next follows. It has a fall 
of twelve feet. It, previous to 1812, was a part or the 
William Bacon farm. Mr. Bacon afterwards joined 
with Horace and Eliphalet Smith and Horace Clap, and 
in 1 81 2 ran a sawmill, shingle mill, and carding machine 
mill there. Mr. Bacon wanted to irrigate a portion of his 
land, and his partner Smith is said to have called the 
reservoir or aqueduct thus made a "rucaduc"; hence its 
old name. Daniel and Elbridge Smith afterwards pur- 
chased the privilege, and erected a cotton mill for the manu- 
facture of cotton thread. Mr. Jenks, William H. Gary, 
James Ogden, and the Walpole emery mill have all since 
occupied this privilege. 

Then comes the old Blackburn privilege, with a seven- 
foot fall, where Aaron Blake built his dam and sawmill, 
and used the right to flow the stream. In 18 16 it had 
gone into the hands of Samuel Nason and John Boyden. 
Besides the sawmill, they operated a grist-mill just below, 
where the fall was twelve feet. 

June II, 181 1, these privileges were purchased by John 
Blackburn, of Medway, who began the manufacture of 
machinery, and in the upper part of the building George 
Blackburn and his father John Blackburn manufactured 
cotton yarn, until the building was destroyed by fire. 
George afterwards owned factories in Mansfield, Ashland, 
and Fitchburg. In 1846 John Henry Blackburn, having 
united with Ollis Clap, and having bought the foundry 
of Everett Stetson at Stetson's pond, removed the tools 
and other personal property to his father's lower privilege, 
and began the casting of stoves, lire frames, and machinery. 

[192] 



Afterwards J. H. Blackburn, giving up the foundry, 
began making shingles and grinding grist at the same 
place. Asa Whitman and Ephraim Shepard both occu- 
pied a part of one of the old mills, one for lamp wicks, 
the other for carriages. 

The fifth privilege, that of the old Union Factory, now 
the Massachusetts Chemical Co. mill, has a fall of eigh- 
teen and a half feet. Hereto 1812 Samuel Fales manu- 
factured snuff. Here Thaddeus Clap and Samuel Fuller 
had a tan yard. Daniel EUis manufactured cloth. Elipha- 
let Clap had a forge for iron and nails. 

In 1813 Ohver Clap, Daniel EHis, Warren Clap, 
Daniel Payson, called OHver Clap & Co., having bought 
the land of Ebenezer Clap and the right to convey the 
water through his land, became the Walpole Union 
Manufacturing Company; Ohver Clap, president, War- 
ren Clap, treasurer, Oliver Eldredge, clerk. Asa Whit- 
man was one of its agents. 

On Dec, 15, 1849, the property came into the hands of 
Smith Gray, James S. Shepard, and William H. Cary, 
who, a few years later, conveyed it to Charles Manning, 
Henry R. Glover, and Jerome B. Cram under the name 
of Manning, Glover & Co., manufacturers of curled hair 
mattresses, cotton batting, and wicking until 1872. Mr. 
Cram continued the business until 1880, but then sold 
to Smith Gerrish. Stephen Pember afterwards leased 
the premises, but a fire soon swept away all the buildings. 
The privilege has, for some years, been in the hands of 
the Massachusetts Chemical Company, who also own the 
two old Blackburn privileges above. 

[193] 



The sixth old privilege has a nine-foot fall, and was 
owned in 1812 by Daniel Clap, who had here manufac- 
tured cloth for many years. In 1821 an old employee of 
the mill above came into possession of the water power 
and erected a new mill, with the customary bell tower, 
and continued until his death the manufacture of cotton 
thread. His heirs, for some ten years after, under the 
care of Capt. George Guild, further continued the busi- 
ness. This old employee was Harlow Lawrence. 

Feb. 21, 1863, Deacon Willard Lewis, who had been 
engaged in the manufacture of listing carpets and lint 
bandages for the U. S. Government, in the old disused 
schoolhouse and an adjoining buildmg in the east part 
of the town, purchased of the heirs of Mr. Lawrence the 
whole property, and, in addition to the lint business, 
afterwards carried on the manufacture of carpet lining, 
cotton batting, and cotton percolator used in the Southern 
States for straining rosin. William Hart had there a 
small machine shop. A disastrous fire destroyed both the 
old buildings and obliged Mr. Lewis to rebuild, which he 
at once did, erecting a brick building of considerable pro- 
portions. After his death his son W. L Lewis continued 
the business until he sold to George A. Plimpton the 
whole plant, which is now run under the name of the 
Lewis Batting Company. 

Deacon Bradford Lewis & Son occupy the mill site be- 
low in the manufacturing of cardboard and cotton waste. 

The next privilege is commonly called Stetson's, and 
has a fall of twelve feet. At the time of the Revolutionary 
War there was a grist-mill here owned mostly by Gay 

[194] 



and Cleaveland, which several times changed hands till 
about 1794 it came into the possession of Ebenezer Harts- 
horn. John Cleaveland, John Hooper, an old Crown Point 
soldier, and Jeremiah and Samuel Dexter, from the Crown 
Point expedition to the War of the Revolution, had a 
forge near. In 1796 Joshua Stetson, who had wandered 
this way from what is now Randolph, purchased this 
privilege, having at times both a forge for the manufac- 
ture of hoes and other agricultural tools, and a foundry 
for stoves, fire frames, and other cast-iron articles. He 
learned his trade at Randall's in Sharon, and is said to 
have made an agreement with the Ameses and others 
not to manufacture axes, ploughs, and shovels, or such 
articles as formed a competition. Deacon Henry Plimpton 
was at one time with him. His goods held the highest 
place in the market. In 1827 he is said to have given up 
his business to his son Everett, who continued this busi- 
ness until 1830. 

The father died in 1863. His son Joshua Stetson, Jr., 
in 1830 began here the manufacture of cotton goods, 
which, with varied success, he continued down to 1867. 
His ticking, like his father's hoes, was the best the market 
afforded. In 1855, having some years before sold his 
foundry to Blackburn & Clapp, Deacon Everett Stetson 
purchased the entire property and removed the factory 
in which he had for some time manufactured card clothing 
to its present position. 

In 1867 his son Edward assumed the card-clothing 
business, but having several years ago joined the American 
Card Clothing Company, the factory, until quite recently, 

[195] 



has been more or less in disuse. It is now used by the 
Walpole Card Clothing Company. 

This spot is memorable as the field of labor of the 
ingenious but improvident inventor Eleazer Smith. It 
has always been claimed that the fruits of this man's 
ingenuity in producing the card-clothing machine were 
deliberately stolen from him here. He was also the in- 
ventor of a nail cutting or making machine and a match 
machine from which he profited nothing. He is said to 
have lived on High Street, and that his remains rested 
unmarked in the Rural Cemetery until the widows of 
Deacon Everett Stetson and Joshua Stetson, Jr., just prior 
to their deaths, kindly erected the present tablet. 

At this old privilege for years labored another great 
genius, Ira Gill, the hat manufacturer. Chauncey Smith, 
one of our most famous patent solicitors, once declared 
to the writer that Mr. Gill was one of the most ingenious 
men of the age. In 1823 Mr. Gill began near here the 
manufacture of fur-napped hats. He later took up fur 
felt goods. Mr. Roberts had many years before manu- 
factured hats, but was succeeded by Rand & Hooper, who 
were Mr. Gill's immediate predecessors. 

Who has attended the old town meetings in the Uni- 
tarian vestry and does not remember Ira Gill ? He could 
not be forgotten, if one would, that old watch-dog of the 
town treasury and scoffer at reform. On one occasion, 
observing the harsh criticism and no little abuse of our 
most noted fellow townsman, Francis W. Bird, and 
recognizing that a little less regard to conscience could 
easily make Mr. Bird's daily path more easy, he once 

[196] 




CALVIN G. PLIMPTON 
Senior member of C. G. & H . M . Plimpton, who down 
to the War of the Rebellion furnished much of the 
iron supplies for the development of our great far 
West, and the axle -skins for the overland prairie 
schooner 



exclaimed, "Frank Bird, you are a fool. What do you 
care about things way down South ? Slavery don't harm 
us up here, does it ? Yes, you are a darned, plaguey 
old fool." 

It is needless to say that Mr. Bird changed not his 
opinion. He himself, but a few days before, characterized 
Joseph Billings of West Roxbury pretty much in the 
same way, when Billings refused to fall into line with 
the then new Republican movement. 

The next privilege, taking both ponds together, has a 
fall of eighteen and a half feet. Here, in 1810, John 
Stanley and Dr. Thomas Stanley, manufactured tacks and 
snufF, the Stanleys selling in 181 1 to Virgil Maxey, coun- 
sellor at law. William Appleton afterwards came and 
purchased the old Lewis Lane and Hartshorn road, thus 
being the first owner of all what is now called Plimp- 
ton Street. Maxey was from Baltimore, Maryland; the 
Stanleys from Attleboro. They are not known as owners 
of anything but the lower privilege. The land was 
originally a part of the farm of Roland Willet. 

In 1 8 16 Henry Plimpton began to occupy the upper 
privilege, largely in the manufacture of hoes. A foundry 
was afterwards added. In 1844 Deacon Henry Plimpton 
purchased the lower Ellis privilege. He was succeeded 
by his two sons, Calvin G. and H. M. Plimpton, who in 
1848 formed a copartnership as C. G. & H. M. Plimpton, 
who continued the manufacture of hoes, springs, axles, 
and other iron goods until 1865, when, the elder partner 
having died, the property was sold to Boston parties 
called the Linden Spring and Axle Company, of which 

[197] 



Hubbard W. Tilton was president, and Gen. William 
Tilton treasurer with Boston men as directors. Almost 
all the buildings disappeared, one after another, by fire, 
until now only the old carpenter shop remains. The 
property now belongs to George A. Plimpton, one of the 
sons of C. G. Plimpton referred to. 

This lower privilege was for years known as the Ellis 
privilege, from Daniel Ellis, who in 1818, with his son 
George, here manufactured satinet goods. In 1835 the 
father died, leaving his son to continue the business to 
1837. He was succeeded by George Blackburn for four 
years. Negro cloth was afterwards made here by Mr. 
Freeman. He was succeeded by Calvin Turner. His 
successors. Park Stearns and Blackburn, then in 1844 sold 
to Deacon Henry Plimpton, who made hosiery yarn and 
satinets for a short time. Oliver W. Allen & Co., Henry 
Phmpton, Oliver W. Allen and Jeremiah Allen, later 
manufactured twine here, and Everett Stetson wadding. 

The next privilege, that of F. W. Bird & Son, has a 
fall of fifteen feet. In early times, before 181 8, Eliphalet 
Rhoads had a small grist-mill here, with a narrow lane 
leading out to the street beyond. He occupied a little 
red house under the hill above the mill, to the south. 
He sold the privilege and a good deal of adjoining land 
on the northeast to one Webb, who built a cotton mill 
and the long tenement house for a generation known as 
the Webb house, where now stands the freight house of 
theN. Y., N. H.&H. R.R. 

Rhoads was obliged to take back the property and, 
not wanting it himself, gladly sold to Dean, Sayles & 

[iq8] 



Co., who continued there the manufacture of cotton cloth, 
under the name of the Neponset Manufacturing Com- 
pany. They built a new dam and purchased flowage 
rights, absorbing the old rights and dam which George 
Bird, the father of Francis W. Bird, had just purchased 
to control the owners below, between this privilege and 
that of the Ellis dam above. 

In 1835 ^his company sold to Silas Smith, jabez Coney 
and others, who, under the name of the Neponset Paper 
Mill Company, began the manufacture of printing paper. 
This company, for the purpose of closing their busi- 
ness, sold to one of their members, jabez Coney, who in 
1838 sold to Francis W. Bird. 

Mr. Bird at first manufactured news printing paper, 
but soon gave it up for the more profitable coarser wrap- 
ping paper goods for screws, provisions, and groceries. 
Here, during the whole after public life of Mr. Bird, 
with but few reverses, was conducted a business so liberal 
to employees that it would now be impossible either to 
understand or follow it. Manila papers, box papers, 
cartridge papers, waterproof and roofing papers have 
here, under the management of Charles S. Bird, super- 
seded the general class of goods at first manufactured. 

In the near-by memorial tower to Mr. Bird is a Paul 
Revere bell and Howard clock, a gift from the neigh- 
boring citizens. 

The last water privilege, that of Hollingsworth & Vose, 
has a twelve-foot water fall. The father of Francis W. 
Bird, George Bird, came here from East Dedham some- 
where about 1817 and began the manufacture of paper as 

[199] 



Bird & Son, having his son Josiah N. Bird with him. 
For some years the son ran it alone, but in 1833 sold out 
to his brother Francis W. Bird. Thomas W. Kennedy, 
Bird & Presby and others manufactured paper here until 
1882, when Francis W. Bird sold the privilege to Mr. Z. 
Hollingsworth, who took into partnership Charles Vose, 
under the firm name of Hollingsworth & Vose. For 
many years a prosperous paper business has been here 
conducted. Mr. Vose has lately built for himself a spa- 
cious home in one of the most beautiful spots in town 
and is now regarded a permanent fellow townsman. 

Upon Spice or Spring Brook there was early one or 
more sawmills, the most notable one being that of Deacon 
Ebenezer Fales. At the Diamond Pond there is a fifteen- 
foot fall. In 1 8 14 Dr. Jonathan Wilde and wife sold this 
privilege to Samuel Hartshorn and Daniel Kingsbury. A 
company was formed to operate it. Among them were 
Ebenezer Hartshorn, Daniel Kingsbury, Nathaniel Guild, 
Josiah Hill, Hermon Guild, Samuel Allen, James Guild, 
and Robert Robertson, with Daniel Kingsbury as agent. 
For several years they manufactured cotton goods. In 
1868 Hartshorn & Kingsbury conducted the same busi- 
ness here, and afterwards hemp twine. 

In 1829 the Diamond Manufacturing Company with 
twenty-four shares was incorporated and began manu- 
facturing here. Daniel Carpenter, of Foxboro, sold his 
twelve shares to Smith Gray. In 1842 Asa Whitman 
deeded to his son Henry C. Whitman, who in turn sold 
to Smith Gray in 1844. Gray leased it to Joshua Stetson, 
jr., and WiUiam BuUard. 

[ 200] 




DEACON JEREMIAH ALLEN 




DEACON WILLARD LEWIS 



In 1858 Simeon Clap, who had from 1842 to 1850 been 
a manufacturer of straw goods, became its owner, when 
he began the manufacture of stocking yarns, Java canvas 
and twine thread. In 1881, upon the death of Mr. Clap, 
it was sold to Deacon Bradford Lewis for curing wool, 
who afterwards sold to John B. Rooney, who is still in 
business there. 

Above the latter privilege was early a machine shop 
kept by Royal Smith, who lived near. He also manu- 
factured cotton and woolen machinery here. It was, 
however, destroyed by fire in i860. 

In 1880 Nathan Clark and his son Alton came into 
possession, rebuilt the dam, and erected a sawmill. This 
was afterward sold to H. A. Morse & Co., who con- 
duct a large lumber business there, Mr. Clark going still 
farther up stream. 

Among other early town industries, the early straw 
works of Samuel Gilbert is perhaps the best known, 
situated a little away from his residence, to the east of the 
Orthodox church. Farther back, Ephraim Shepard, who 
lived where Horace A. Spear now lives, made furniture, 
carriage supplies, and even coffins. Josiah Hill also 
manufactured furniture near the new house of John P. 
O'Brion. Horace Guild also had a furniture shop on 
Walpole Plain; so also did Deacon Nathaniel Bird and 
his brother. 

In 1832 Deacon Jeremiah Allen began the manu- 
facture of twine and fish lines near his home on Peach 
Street, carrying occasionally by horse to Boston a few 
samples for trade. His goods were prized everywhere. 

[201] 



His honesty and conscientiousness produced for the trade 
a perfect article. At the Philadelphia Centennial his 
goods received the first and highest premium and honor. 
In 1866 he took into partnership Samuel Allen, who 
for years had been clerk for C. G. & H. M. Plimpton, 
and another shop was at once added. Both partners 
have long gone to their reward, that of good citizens and 
honest business men. Horace Plimpton and John W. 
Blackburn were at one time large manufacturers of hoop 
skirts. 

The Smith Gray Company, now a corporation of 
which Robert S. Gray is president, which does a large 
and select dyeing and bleaching business, is but the suc- 
cessor of Mr. Gray's father, the well-known Smith Gray, 
who at one time did a large and profitable business in 
the same line at the same location. 

In 1825 Squire M. Fales carried on a foundry above 
Walpole Plain, which was afterwards purchased by Gen- 
eral Leach of Easton, who continued until 1845 in pud- 
dling iron and the manufacture of iron goods from 
iron ore, much of which came from near Spring Brook. 
Thomas and George Campbell, in 1845, purchased the 
mill and began the manufacture of paper. 

Mr. John P. Bowker also was a manufacturer of straw 
goods. The Mahoney Mattress Company does a large 
business in furniture and mattresses. 

The Morey privilege on Mill Brook, having a fall of 
sixteen feet, is still in use. Here for years was a pros- 
perous sawmill. In 1840 Lewis W. Robbins and Erastus 
Robbins manufactured carriage axles here until 1853. 

[ 202 ] 



The brother having died, Lewis W. Robbins continued 
alone until 1855. In 1854 George Morey, brother of 
Palmer Morey, purchased the property and transferred 
it in 1863 to his brother, who in 1868 transferred it to 
his son George P. Morey. 

Henry D. Dupee, some years ago, established over 
opposite the Walpole railroad station the business of 
manufacturing dyes, under the name of Dupee, Weeks 
& Soren. It is now operated by Mr. Alfred Smith. 

The American Furniture Company a few years ago 
carried on an extensive business in school furniture 
diagonally opposite the factory of Henry D. Dupee. 
Some business is still carried on there, but to less extent 
than formerly. 

List of Representatives to General Court. — There was 
no representative previous to 1740, and although sub- 
ject to a fine, for years the town continuously voted not 
to choose one. In 1768 Joshua Clap was chosen; in 1769, 
Seth Kingsbury; from 1770 to 1772, Joshua Clap; Enoch 
ElHs in 1773; in the Provincial Congress, Enoch EUis 
represented the town in 1774; Enoch Elhs was chosen in 
1775 to represent the town for six months at the Congress 
at Watertown; July 16, 1775, Benjamin Kingsbury was 
chosen to represent the town at the Great and General 
Court at Watertown; Joshua Clap was chosen repre- 
sentative in 1776; Benjamin Kingsbury in 1777; Seth 
BuUard from 1778 to 1780 inclusive; from 1781 to 1783, 
there was no choice of representative; Seth BuUard from 
1754 to 1786; Enoch Ellis, 1787; Seth Kingsbury, 1788; 
Shubael Downs, 1789; Seth Bullard, 1790; in 1791 and 

[203] 



1792 no choice; Oliver Clap, 1793 to 1795 inclusive; Seth 
Bullard from 1796 to 1798; Moses Ellis, 1799; Seth Bul- 
lard, 1800; WiUiam Bacon, 1801; Oliver Clap in 1802; 
William Bacon in 1803; Asa Kingsbury from 1804 to 18 18 
inclusive; Daniel Kingsbury in 1809 to 18 16 inclusive; 
no representatives in 1817, 1818, 1819; Jesse Boyden in 
1820; voted not to elect in 1822; Harvey Clap in 1823 ^o 
1825 inclusive; voted not to choose in 1826; Joseph 
Hawes in 1827 to 1831 inclusive; Phineas Ellis, 1832; 
Truman Clarke, 1833, 1834; Joseph Hawes, 1835; 
Joshua Stetson, Jr., 1836, 1837, 1838; Emmons Partridge, 
1839; Palmer Morey, 1840, 1841; OHver W. Allen, 1842, 
1843; George Bullard, 1844, 1845; Francis W. Bird, 
1846, 1847; Rev. Asahel Bigelow, 1848, 1849; Palmer 
Morey, 1850, 1851: voted not to choose, 1852; Deacon 
Henry Plimpton, 1853; Harvey Boyden, 2d, 1854; Dea- 
con Jeremiah Allen, 1855, 1856; In 1857 the Eleventh 
Representative District of Norfolk County was formed, 
including Milton, Sharon, Canton and Walpole, and no 
one was chosen from Walpole from 1857 to 1862; Elbridge 
Piper, 1862; Naaman B. Wilmarth, 1863; none in 1864; 
John M. Merrick, 1865; Francis W. Bird, 1866; none in 
1867; Francis W. Bird, 1868; none in 1869, 1870, 1871; 
Willard Lewis, 1872, 1873; Samuel Allen, 1874; none in 
1875; Francis W. Bird, 1876, 1877; Henry S. Clarke, 
1878; none in 1879, 1880; George E. Craig, 1881, 1882. 
Since then a new district with Stoughton, Sharon, and 
Walpole has been formed, which has been represented by 
Robert S. Gray in 1889, 1890, and Joseph Leach. 

Town Clerks of Walpole: Samuel Kingsbury, 1724- 

[204] 



1728; Ezra Morse, 1729; Samuel Kingsbury, 1 730-1 738; 
Joshua Fisher, 1739-1747; Aquilla Robbins, 1748-1767; 
Stephen Felch, 1 768-1 773; Seth Clap, 1 774-1 775; Benja- 
min Kingsbury, 1776; Seth Clap, 1777; George Payson, 
1778; Stephen Felch, 1779-1799; Asa Kingsbury, 1800- 
1808; Samuel Hartshorn, 1809-1814; Harvey Clap, 1815- 
1832; Joshua Stetson, Jr., 1833-1844; Palmer Morey, 
1845-1864; George P. Morey, 1865-1883; Henry E. 
Craig, Harry L. Howard. 

The Common. — The first mention of the Common 
appears very early in 1663, when the Dedham minister 
is granted a few acres of land on a " Plain half a Mile this 
Side of the Saw Mille." At the same time the field, in 
which are now the Glover, Hartshorn, and Boyden houses, 
was known as the Major's Plain. The old Wrentham 
and the old Sawmill roads, both laid out before the first 
meeting-house was erected, met a little west of where the 
Walpole and Wrentham turnpike was afterward built. 
A good deal of what is now the west end of the Comm.on 
was a part of the open field adjoining. 

The original layout of the old Sawmill road was early 
carried westward from the Woodward field to that of 
William Robbins, Sr., because there was a bridge over 
Spice or Spring Brook at that point. After crossing the 
brook the road meandered up the hill, avoiding its high 
crown by turning to the south by the house of Thomas 
Clap. This hilltop remained to annoy the early settler 
until the second meeting-house was built. Thomas Clap 
gave the first meeting-house site to the town, or sold it, 
rather. It was a small piece, and after the first meeting- 

[205] 



house was built thereon it began to be called the " Meet- 
ing House Common." 

On the building of the second meeting-house, the hill 
was taken away and an addition made to the meeting- 
house grounds or "Common." The last addition was 
in 1828, and included over an acre. The donors were 
Warren Clap, yeoman; Harlow Lawrence, manufacturer; 
Ebenezer Stone, physician; Everett Stetson, blacksmith; 
Horatio Wood, carpenter; John Gilbert, yeoman; John 
P. B. Storer, clerk; Asa Whitman, manufacturer; Joseph 
Hawes, yeoman; Truman Clarke, manufacturer; Richard 
Hartshorn, yeoman; Nathaniel Bird, chairmaker; Joseph 
Ellis, yeoman; Daniel Kingsbury, Esq.; Harvey Clap, 
Esq.; Joshua Stetson, Jr., manufacturer. They then 
had laid out West Street and Elm Street, and had put 
the Walpole and Wrentham turnpike on the other side 
of the church, leveling over the old thoroughfare. This 
accounts for the seeming inconsistent location of the 
first two meeting-houses on early plans. 

In order to guide the reader to a correct understanding 
of our early political action, the following paper has been 
thought of the highest importance: 

GOVERNORS OF MASSACHUSETTS 

CHOSEN ANNUALLY BY THE PEOPLE 

Province of Massachusetts Bay under the first charter: 1629, Mar. 4, 
Matthew Cradock; 1629, Apr. 30, John Endicott; 1629, Oct. 20, John 
Winthrop; 1634, May 14, Thomas Dudley; 1635, May 6, John Haynes; 
1636, May 25, Henry Vane; 1637, May 17, John Winthrop; 1640, May 13, 
Thomas Dudley; 1641, June 2, Richard Bellingham; 1642, May 18, 
John Winthrop; 1644, May 29, John Endicott; 1645, May 14, Thomas 

[ 206 ] 



Dudley; 1646, May 6, John Winthrop; 1649, May 2, John Endicott; 
1650, May 22, Thomas Dudley; 1651, May 7, John Endicott; 1654, 
May 3, Richard Bellingham; 1655, May 23, John Endicott; 1665, May 3, 
Richard Bellingham; 1672, Dec. 12, John Leverett; 1673, ^^7 7' John 
Leverett; 1679, May 28, Simon Bradstreet to 1686. 

Plymouth Colony: 1620, Nov. 11, John Carver; 1621, April, William 
Bradford; 1633, Jan. i, Edward Winslow; 1634, Mar. 27, Thomas 
Prince; 1635, Mar. 3, William Bradford; 1636, Mar. i, Edward Winslow; 
1637, Mar. 7, William Bradford; 1638, June 5, Thomas Prince; 1639, 
June 3, William Bradford; 1644, June 5, Edward Winslow; 1645, June 
4, William Bradford; 1657, June 3, Thomas Prince; 1673, June 3, 
Josiah Winslow; 1680, Dec. 18, Thomas Hinckley. 

May 25, 1686, Joseph Dudley assumed the office of 
President, under a commission from James II, and, with 
a Council, had jurisdiction over New England. He was 
superseded December 20 of the same year by Sir Edmund 
Andros who had been appointed by the same king. 
April 20, 1689, Governor Andros was deposed by popular 
revolution. 

After the Dissolution of the First Charter, Simon Bradstreet from 
May 24, 1689, to May 14, 1692. 

Appointed by the king under second charter: 1692, May 14, Sir William 
Phipps; 1694, Nov. 17, William Stoughton; 1699, May 26, Richard 
Coote Earl of Bellomont; 1700, July, William Stoughton; 1 701, July 7, 
The Council; 1702, June 11, Joseph Dudley; 1714-15, Feb., the Coun- 
cil; 1715, Nov. 9, William Tailor; 1716, Oct. 4, Samuel Shute; 1722, 
Dec. 27, William Dummer; 1728, July 15, William Burnet; 1729, Sept. 
7, William Dummer; 1730, June 30, William Tailor; 1730, Aug. 8, 
Jonathan Belcher; 1741, Aug. 17, William Shirley; 1749, Sept. Ii, 
Spencer Phips; 1753, Aug. 7, William Shirley; 1756, Sept. 25, Spencer 
Phips; 1757, Aug. 3, Thomas Pownal; 1760, June 3, Thomas Hutchinson; 
1761, Aug. I, Sir Francis Bernard; 1769, Aug. i, Thomas Hutchinson; 
1771, March, Thomas Hutchinson; 1774, May 13, Thomas Gage. 

[207] 



Until the Constitution: 1774, Oct., Provincial Congress; 1775, ]uly, 
the Council. 

A Committee of Safety was appointed which, with the 
exception of appointment to office, performed the execu- 
tive duties of the government. The act authorizing the 
election of the first Council provided that the Provincial 
Congress should consider the Constitutional Council of 
the province as governor of the province. 

Under the Constitution: 1780 to 1785, John Hancock; 1785-1787, 
James Bowdoin; 1787-1793, Oct. 8, John Hancock; 1794-1797, Samuel 
Adams; 1797-1799, June 7, Increase Sumner; 1800-1807, Caleb Strong; 
1807-1808, Dec. 10, James Sullivan; 1809-1810, Christopher Gore; 
1810-1812, Elbridge Gerry; 1812-1816, Caleb Strong; 1816-1823, John 
Brooks; 1823-1825, Feb. 6, John Eustis; 1825-1834, Levi Lincoln; 
1 834-1 835, Mar. I, John Davis; 1 836-1 840, Edward Everett; 1 840-1 841, 
Marcus Morton; 1841-1843, John Davis; 1843-1844, Marcus Morton; 
1 844-1 85 1, George N. Briggs; 1851-1853, George S. Boutwell; 1853-1854, 
John H. Clifford; 1854-1855, Emory Washburn; 1855-1858, Henry J. 
Gardner; 1858-1861, Nathaniel P. Banks; 1861-1866, John A. Andrew; 
1866-1869, Alexander H. Bullock; 1869-1872, William Claflin;i872-i874, 
William B. Washburn; 1875-1876, William Gaston; 1876-1879, Alex- 
ander H. Rice; 1879-1880, Thomas Talbot; 1880-1883, John D. Long. 



[208] 



INDEX OF NAMES 



Abraham, Hosea, 105, 106. 

AcHORN, Albion G., 164; Henry E., 164. 

Adams, Rev. Dr. Charles, 180; Henry, /i; 
John, 117; Samuel, 117, 139, 140; Rev. 
William, 39. 

Alford, Charles H. F., 163. 

Allen, Abel, 119, iii, 121, 129, 134,136, 
137; Asa, 184; Benjamin, 71; Catherine, 
171; Clara F., 157; Daniel, 45, 146, 
150, 158, 171, 172; David, 142, 146, 171; 
Ebenezer, 102; Edward, 26; Edward R., 
165; George, 72; Henry, 172; Deacon 
Jeremiah, 198, 201, 204; John, 6, 13, 23, 
70, 71; Rev. Joseph C, 178; Joshua, 

108, 119, 121, 122, 129, 136, 141, 146, 

163, 171, 173; Lewis, 171, 184; Melzar 
W.,48, i63;Ohver W., 198,204;?., 151; 
Reuben, 146, 158; Robert, 31,48,49, 54, 
70,72,87,94; Samuel, 121, 122, 123, 130, 
158, 171, 200, 202, 204; Unity, 172. 

Alsop, John, 117. 

American Furniture Co., 203. 

Ames, Fisher, 139. 

Ansis, William, 105. 

Anthony, Joseph, 105, 

Appleton, William, 19, 197- 

Armsby, Matthias, 131. 

Austin, Samuel, 81, 93. 

Avery, Robert, 47; William, 25, 37, 39, 43, 
47. 49. 54- 

Babbit, WiHard M., 164. 

Babcock, Mary, loi. 

Bacon, Ebenezer, 95; Ella, 157; James 

W., 163; Warren, 163, Capt. William, 

95, 104, 106; William, 121, 123, 127, 

136, 141, 192. 
Baily, Hon. John, 151; Rev. Mr., 151; 

Philo, i66. 



Baker, Abel, 121 ; Ebenezer, 87, 129, 136, 
145; Deacon Eliphalet, 151; Harlin P., 
163; John, 44, 45, 47; Micah, 123; 
Milley, 172; Nathan, 130; Stephen T., 
164; Willard, 171; Ziba, 120, 171. 

Balch, Rev. Thomas, 94, 106; Thomas, 
105, 106. 

Baldwin, Capt., 159. 

Ball, Thomas, 105. 

Bardens, Amos, 171; James, 13, 65, 67, 
70; Philip, 103, 121, 130, 136. 

B.\tes, Elkanah, 151; Rev. Lewis, 180. 

Battersby, James A., 166. 

Baxter, Rev. Joseph, 79, 80. 

Beecher, Rev. Lyman, 172. 

Belcher, Rev. Joseph, 13, 67, 68, 69, 74, 

75. 76, 79. 167- 

Bickford, Rev. Mr., 179. 

BiDDLE, Edward, 117. 

BiGELOw, Rev. Asahel, 155, 173, 204. 

Billings, Col., 13; Jonathan, 79, 103; 
Joseph, 197; Mercy, 171; Sanford, 
Waters, 178; Sarah, 103; Richard, 137. 

Bird, Andrew, 171; Anna C, 187; Charles 
S., 186, 199; Hon. Francis W., 160, 178, 
183, 186, 196, 200, 204; F. W. & Son, 
18, 99, 181, 198, 199, 200; George, 199; 
Horace, 159; Jonathan, 171; Josiah N., 
200; Mary R., 186, 187; Nathaniel, 171, 
185, 201, 206; Rhoda, 171. 

Blackburn, George, 192, 198; John, 154, 
171, 192; J. Henry, 192, 193; John W., 
202. 

Blackington, James E., 164. 

Blackman, Adam, 105, 176. 

Blake, Aaron, 102, 11 1, 121, 123, 130, 135, 
192; James, 84; Jeremiah, I2i. 

Bl.anchard, Nathaniel, 105. 

Bland, Richard, 117, 



[209] 



Blen, George, 130. 

BoERUM, S., 1 17. 

BoNNEY, Charles, 171; Eli, 1171 185, 191. 

BowDiTCH, Asa W., 164. 

BowDOiN, James, 127. 

BowKER, John P., 171, 202; Patty, 172. 

BoYCE, Lvdia, 129. 

BoYDEN, Albert, 157; Benjamin, 119, 129, 
136; Daniel, 158; David, 121; Ebenezer, 
105; Elnathan, 95, 105; Elijah, 123; 
Esther, 100; Ezekiel, 120, 137, 138; Frank 
L., 165; Harvey, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 
158, 204; Jabez, 120; James A., 166; 
Jason, 158; Jeremiah, 121; Jesse, 204; 
Jonathan, 71, 84, 85, 93, 105, 120, 121, 
122, 124, 130, 131, 136; John, 49, 62, 64, 
66, 70, 72, 74, 80, 82, 85, 86. Ill, 119, 
120, 121, 122. 129, 136, 192; Joseph, 71, 
120, 123; Joshua, 121, 136; Julius, 166; 
Rev. Luman, 180, 185; Newell, 185; 
Phineas, 123; Samuel, 120, 130, 136, 139. 

Brackett, Anthony, 130. 

Bradshaw, Nathaniel, 123, 129; Samuel, 

95- 
Briggs, Benjamin M., 164; Horace C, 166. 

Briton, Mr., 141. 

Brooks, Rev. Phillips, 182; Preston, 160. 

Brown, Edward, 171; Ellen N., 178; John, 
160, 165; J. A., 179; Winslow E., 164. 

Buckley, Nicholas, 105. 

BucKMASTER, John, 71. 

Buker, Henrich, 166. 

BuLLARD, Eleazer, 85; Ezra, 105; George, 
185, 204; Isaac, 5, 28, 33, 36, 151; John, 
71, 79; Nathan, 130; Nathaniel, 55; Rev. 
Mr., 126; Samuel, 47, 72; Major Seth, 
100, 107, 108, 109, III, ii7> ii9> 120, 
124, 126, 129, 130, 134, 136, 203, 204; 
Solomon, 92; William, 45, 136, 200. 

BuLLEN, Jeduthan, 97- 

Burgess, Rev. Mr., 172- 

Calahan, Timothy, 105, 106. 

Califf, Ebenezer W., 185. 

Campbell, George D., 166; John, 166. 

Carnegie, Andrew, 186. 

Carpenter, Daniel, 200. 

Carroll, Benjamin, 81, 118, 121; Jona- 
than, 121; Joseph, 18, 65, 73, 82, 83, 
97; Joseph, jr., 121, 123; Nathan, 151. 

Cary, William H., 192, 193. 

Caswell, R., i \'J. 



Chamberlain, Moses, 48, 52, 67, 70, 72, 
74, 78, 120, 130. 

Chandler, Col., 58; Obediah, 105. 

Chenery, Isaac, 71, 92; Mary, 71. 

Cheney, Aquilla, 123; Samuel, 107, 108, 
109, III, 120; Joseph, 17S. 

Chickering, Emilv, 157; Francis, 5. 

Church, Caleb, 4, 35, 36, 83. 

Clap, Aaron, 117; Asa, 123; Billings, 123; 
Bradish, 158; Curtis, 158; Daniel, 194; 
David, 171; Ebenezer, 96, no, 119, 121, 
130, 136, 151 ; Eleazer, 3, 36, 44, 70, 121, 
130, 137; Elijah, 121, 137, 143, 145; Ellis, 
185; Eliphalet, 121, 122; Harvey, 136, 
147, 150, 185, 204, 205, 206; Horace, 192; 
Ichabod, 121, 132, 136, 138, 142; Jacob, 
119, I20, 122, 129, 132, 136, 138; James, 
97, 118, 120, 129; Jason, 171; Jerusha, 
171; Joshua, 13, 44, 57, 61, 62, 64, 66, 70, 
72, 74, 76, 81, 87, 88, 90, 91, 97, loi, 102, 
107, 108, 109, III, 120, 121, 136, 203; 
Joseph, 142; Levi, 185; Lewis, 13, 171; 
Maynard B., 185; Metcalf, 185; Ollis, 
192, 195; Oliver, 102, 106, 121, 122, 126, 
129, 140, 142, 193, 204; Otis, 171; R., 
180; Seth, 97, 99, 121, 122, 136; Simeon, 
201; Stephen, 70, Thaddeus, 123, 193; 
Thomas, 3,11, 12, 13 23, 33, 34, 36, 45, 
48, 49, 54, 62, 63, 64, 66, 70, 72, 73, 74, 
83, 85, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 205; Warren, 
13, 148, 149, 155, 158, 185, 193, 206; 
William, 123. 

Clarke, Clark, Alton, 201; Benjamin, 
105; Rev. Mr., 151; Ephraim, 74, 81, 92, 
129, 135; Jabez, 131; Jeremiah, 52; 
Joshua, 151; Henry, S., 191, 204; Nathan, 
201; Rufus, 130; Samuel, 71; Seth, 171; 
Truman, 151, 155, 185, 191, 204, 206; 
Wilham H., 191. 

Clare, Rev. G. H., 178. 

Cleavel.'KND, David, 122; Edward, 121; 
George, 105, 121 ; John, 121, 128, 136, 195. 

Clemons, Henry, 105. 

Clinton, Edward, 163. 

Cobb, David, 145, 149. 

CoDMAN, Rev. Dr., 172. 

Colburn, Joseph, 28, 43; Nathaniel, 2, 6, 
7, 35; Saniuel, 105. 

Cole, Francis, 185; Joseph, 130. 

CoMSTOCK, Rev. E., 181. 

Coney, Jabez, 199; Joseph, 19, 20,46,94; 
Nathaniel, 71; William, 95. 



[210] 



Copp, Samuel, 87, 119, 121, 122, 136. 

CowDiN, Jason E., 166. 

Craig, George E., 183, 204; Henry E. 

205. 
Cram, Jerome B., 193. 
Crane, Gen., 151; Stephen, 117. 
Crossman, Robert, 5. 
CuDwoRTH, Timothy, 121. 
CuLLis, Dr., 188. 
CusHiNG, Thomas, 108, 117, 127. 

Daggett, Abner, 134; Ebenezer, 100, 101; 

James A., 164; 
Daily, John, 164. 
Dakin, Rev. Wilham T., 182. 
Damon, Joseph, 44. 
Dana, David, 105. 
Dane, Rev. Francis, 180. 
Daniels, Rev. Mr., 126. 
Day, David, 123; Ebenezer, 120, 137; 
Jeremiah, 52, 56, 81, 136, 158; Mrs. Jere- 
miah, 94; John, 120; Joseph, no, in, 
121, 129, 136; Josiah, 158, 171; Moses, 
166; Ralph, 56. 
Dean, Ebenezer, 56; John, 10, 11, 37, 41, 

43.45. 56; Silas, 117. 
Dean, Sayles & Co., 198, 199. 
Dewey, Rev. Mr., 151. 
Dexter, Hephzibah, loi; Jeremiah, 47, 
81. 9°, 97, 195; John, 121; Jonathan, 
121, 131, 134; Samuel, 55, 80, 195; 
Stephen, 121, 129, 195; Willaby, 142. 
Dickinson, John, 117. 
Downs, Shubael, 130, 203. 
Dorethy, George E., 163. 
Draper, Daniel, 28, 49, 51, 56; John, 28; 

Timothy, 105; William, 105. 
Driscoll, Patrick E., 163. 
Drugan, John M., 163; William F., 163. 
Duane, James, 1 17. 
Dudley, Joseph, 17; Thomas, 18. 
Duff, Robert H., 164. 
Dunbar, Rev. Samuel, 80. 
DuPEE, Charles, 98; Henry D., 203; James, 

129, 137, 140. 
DwiGHT, Timothy, 14, 29, 35. 
Dyer, Eliphalet, 117. 

Eams, J. A., 151. 
Early, John E., 166. 
Edes, Rev. Mr., 151. 
Edminster, Noah, 102. 



Eldridge, Benjamin, 70; Oliver, 19^. 

Eliot, Rev. John, 28, 52. 

Ellis, Anna, 171; A., 180; Asa, 120; Caleb 
S., 180; Daniel, 19, 46, 171, 185, 193, 
198; David, 130; Eliphalet, loi, 120, 123, 
136, 171; Enoch, loi, 107, 109, III, 118, 
1 19, 120, 124, 135, 138, 171, 203; George 
P., 171, 185; Hartford, 185; Jacob, 81, 
84. 131; Jason, 90, 185; John, 44, 120, 
135; Joseph, 44, 56, 121, 122, 123, 136, 
148, 149; Moses, 85, 120, 136, 138, 204; 
Oliver, 129; Richard, 6, 14, 15, 27; Sabin, 
171; Willard, 158. 
Ephraim, Joseph, 22, 29, 30, 106. 
Everett, Catherine, 171; Charles, 84; 
John, 49, 51, 58; Richard, 32; William, 
131- 

Fairbanks, David, '105; Jesse, 185; Jon- 
athan, 3, 27; John, 27, 47; Joseph, 43; 
Joshua, 84; Rhoda, 132. 

Fales, Aaron C, 120, 121; Abiather, 
121, 122, 123, 130; Abigail, 71, 72; 
Abijah, 158; Charles, 188; Deborah, 142; 
Ebenezer, 11, 44, 45, 48, 51, 55, 57, 59, 
61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 72, 74, 
75, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85. 88, 89, 90, 96, 120, 
121, 122, 129, 141, 200; Eliphalet, 104, 

121, 130; Francis H., 164; Henry E., 
183; James, 3. 4, 16, 23, 26, 34, 48, 71, 
118, 121, 131, 135; Jeremiah, 121, 136; 
Joel, 188; Jonathan, 122, 141; Joseph, 

122, 141; Lewis F., 189; Milton E., 164; 
Moses, loi, 121, 136; Olive, 188; Peter, 
'3' 36, 49. S7, 62, 66, 69, 70, 72, 73, 87, 
90, 93; Samuel, 157, 193; Silas, 171; 
Squire M., 185, 202; Stephen, 141; War- 
ren, 171. 

Farrington, Aaron, 131; Bernum, 49, 51, 
67. 70. 72, 74> 89; Daniel, 123; David, 
121, 131, 137; Ebenezer, 120, 123, 131; 
John, 10; Judith, 109; Nathaniel, 11; 
Ruth, 98. 

Farwell, Rev. E. C, 181. 

Feeley, Joseph J., 184. 

Felch, Stephen, 98, 108, 141, 205. 

Felt, Moses, 105, 172. 

Fisher, Albert, 164; Amos, 28; Anthony, 
5; Asa, 121, 122, 130, 171; Benjamin, 
131; Daniel, 7, 10, 11, 44, 47, 49, 83, 
129, 136, 145, 171; Eliphalet, 130; Ira, 
164; Isaac, 171; Jeremiah, 12, 47, 54; 



[211] 



Joel, 171; Josiah, 49; Joshua, z, 3, 6, 
7, 44, 62, 63, 64, 66, 72, 75, 86, 91, 94, 
190, 205; Martin, 162, 165; Mary, 3, 96; 
Nathan W., 164, 181 ; Nathaniel P., 171, 
173; Simon, 164; Warren, 171; Deacon of 
Franklin, 127; WiUiam, 70, 78, 84, 87, 
90, 116, 171. 

Flood, Patrick, 163. 

Floyd, William, 117. 

FoLsoM, Nathaniel, ii7- 

Foster, Samuel, 18; Timothy, 46; Wil- 
liam, 71, 83. 

Fowler, Josiah, 164. 

Fremont, John C, 161. 

Frizell, John, 121; John W., 162, 163. 

Frost, Thomas, 171. 

Fuller, Ensign, 15; John, 45, 131; Rachel, 
94; Samuel, 121, 128, 133, 141, 193; 
Samuel G., 179; Thomas, 29. 

Gadsen, Christopher, 117. 

Galloway, Joseph, 117. 

Gannett, Rev. E. S., 151. 

Gardner, Henry, iii. 

Garrison, William Lloyd, 160. 

Gay, Benjamin, 52, 135, 136; Benjamin, N., 
171; Calvin, 120, 123, 130; Ebenezer, 
120, 137; George W., 164; Jacob, 119, 
136; John, 31, 56; Joseph, 136; Lusher, 
47; Luther, 56; Nathaniel, 43, 47, 85, 92; 
Samuel, 31, 41, 47; Timothy, 47, 105, 
140, 190; Wilbur, 185. 

George, Rev. Albert E., 182. 

Qerould, Dr. James, 55, 71, 85, 123. 

Gerrish, Smith, 193. 

Gerry, Elbridge, 145. 

Gilbert, John, 185, 206; Samuel, 201. 

Gill, George H., 164; Ira, 189, 196. 

GiLMORE, James S., 162, 164; Luman W., 
165; Marcus, 171. 

Glann, Mark, 166. 

Glover, Henry R., 193. 

GoDBOLD, Henry, 162, 163. 

GoFF, Henry, 185. 

GoGiN, Ephraim, 105. 

Gore, Christopher, 146. 

GouESSE, Rev. Francis, 181. 

Gould, Abner, 123, 131; Jacob, 120; Jere- 
miah, 56,71; John, 98; John A., 146, 147, 
185; Lois, 109; Simon, 170. 

Gray, Charles L., 165; Harriet R., 187; 
Harrison, in; John A., 166; Joseph W., 



158; Lawson D., 154; Olive, 157; Robert 
S., 202, 204; Smith, 193, 200. 

Gregory, John, 98, 120. 

Gridley, Col. Richard, 104. 

Griffin, Frederick A., 166; Michael, 164. 

Griffis, William, 105. 

Guild, Aaron, 121; Abigail, 157; Abner, 
121; Alvin, 185; Cynthia, 171; George, 
194; James, 200; Herman, 171, 200; 
Horace, 49, 143, 158, 190, 201; John, 
48, 54, 67; Joseph, 120, 137; Lewis, 
158; Nathaniel, 71, 89, 94, 96, 109, no, 
III, 121, 122, 124, 130, 136, 200; Samuel, 
12, 43, 44, 47,49, 54, 120, 130. 

Haines, Rev. Benjamin, 180. 

H.A.LEY, Ichabod, 105. 

Hall, Elisha, 120, 129, 137; Jeremiah, 
53; John, 52, 61, 67, 70, 74, 78, 79, 81, 
86, 89, 92, 97, 102, 137; Josiah, 120, 
129, 131, 137, 158, 180; Lewis A., 164; 
Mary, 83;Willard, 158. 

Hamblet, Rev. F. P., 177. 

Hancock-, Esther, loi; John, 127, 139, 140. 

Hangerud, Rev. Hermon, 178. 

Harris, Rev. Dr., 151, 153; Lois, 137; 
Nicholas, 97, 100, loi, ni, 119, 120; 
Sarah, loi. 

Harrison-, Benjamin, 117. 

H.^rt, Jacob, i36;Seth, 120, 131, William, 
194. 

Hartshorn, Asa, 141, 171, 185; Benjamin, 
121, 123, 135, 136; Brayton, 185; Cather- 
ine, 185; Charles H. (Representative), 
204; Daniel, 158; E. P., 151; Ebenezer, 
52, 120, 185, 195; Fisher, 121; Fred 
A., 165; Horace B., 164; James G., 90; 
Jesse, 123; John, 120; Joseph, 5, 10, 
II, 19, 36, 38, 39, 41, 44, 45, 49, 51, 57, 
61, 62, 63, 64, 68, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 
81, 82, 85, 88, 91, ni, 119, 185; Lewis, 
171; Lowell, E., 163, 164; M. B., 163; 
Otis, 158, 185; Richard, 117, 119, 120, 
123, 130, 136, 159, 185; Samuel, 121, 
123, 136, 142, 200; S. S., 163; Timothy, 
121, 129, 136; Thomas, 62, 70, 7^, 74, 
78, 79, 85;^WiIlard, 185. 

Harvard, Rev. John, 15. 

Hatch, Joshua, 102; Michael, 102. 

Hawes, Ed., 40; Benjamin, I22, 135; John, 
29; Joseph, 148, 149, 151, 185, 204, 206. 

Hayw.\rd, John, 3. 



[212] 



Healey, Rev. Joseph W., 174. 

Heath, Gen., 139. 

Henry, Patrick, Jr., 117. 

Herne, Patrick, 162, 163. 

Hewes, Joseph, 117; Joshua, 120, 131. 

HicKOx, Charles H., 166. 

Hidden, Jonathan, 135, 136. 

HiGGiNs, John, 166. 

Hill, Rev. Calvin G., 175, 179; Joanna, 

172; Josiah, 158, 171, 200, 201; Samuel, 

18. 
HixoN, Isaac, 166; John, 64. 
Hoar, Samuel, 153. 
HoLDEN, Benjamin, 105; William, 80. 
Holder, Mary H., 157. 
HoLLiNGSWORTH, George M., 157; Z. T., 

200. 

HOLLINGSWORTH & VOSE, I99, 20O. 

HoLMAN, Rev. F. O., i8i. 

Holmes, Henry, 157. 

Hooper, John, 87, 89, 105, 195; William, 

117. 
Hopkins, James, E., 165; Stephen, 117. 
HoRNBECK, Rev. M., 181. 
Horsford, Schiller, 157. 
HoTCHKiss, Frank, 166. 
Howard, Caleb, 151; Thomas, 120. 
Humphreys, Charles, 117. 
Hunt, Isaac, 185; John, 171, 185. 
HuNTOON, Rev. Mr., 151, 153. 
Hutchinson, James E., 164. 
Hyde, G. B., 157, 183. 

Indians. — Hosea Abraham, 106; Chica- 
taubut, 22; Sarah David, 17; Charles 
Josiah or Josias, 15, 16, 17; Ephraim, 22, 
29,30, 106; George, 21,22; John Monaco, 
22; Nahoiden, 16; King Philip, 14, 21, 
22, 27; Sarah, 21, 22; Waban, 22; Wam- 
pituck, 22; Alexander Quabish, 17. 

Jack, 140, 146. 

Jackson, Eleazer, 100; Ephraim, 104; 

Samuel, 163, 165. 
Jay, John, 1 17. 
Jenks, John C, 151; William, 67, 70, 73, 

74- 
Jennison, Rev. Isaac, 180. 

Kaufman, Oniaslion, 166. 
Keedy, Rev. John L., 175, 180. 
Kempton, M., 151 



Kendall, Rev. Henry L., 175; Jonathan, 
95, 121, 128, 136, 142; Samuel, 105. 

Kenney, Wallace, 165. 

Kent, Joshua, 24, 32. 

Kimball, Rev. Mr., 151. 

Kingsbury, Amos, 123; Asa, 120, 123, 131, 
137, 142, 204, 205; Benjamin, loi, 108, 
109, 118, 119, 124, 125, 130, 136; Daniel, 
142, 147, 149, 150, 151, 200, 204, 2o5; 
Eleazer, 47; Fisher A., 185; George W., 
171; Jacob, 120, 123; James, 83; Joseph, 
5, 34, 120, 136; Kesiah, 171 ; Leavitt, 191; 
Nathan, 119, 135; Samuel, 49, 61, 62, 63, 
66, 67, 68, 70, 72, 73, 74, 7^, 78, 80, 82, 
83, 87, 90, 204, 205; Seth, 94, 109, no, 
III, 119, 120, 129, 135, 137, 203; Solo- 
mon, 120. 

Kindehan, Patrick, 165. 

Kiivf;, Benjamin, 105. 

Kingsly, Jacob, 171. 

Kinney, Michael, 165. 

KiNSLY, Samuel, 117. 

KiRBY, Patrick E., 164. 

Knight, Madam Sarah, 144. 

Kollock, Cornelius, 131. 

La Fayette, Gen., 144, 189. 

Lamson, Rev. Mr., 151. 

Larkin, William, 106. 

Laughlin, Samuel, 105. 

Lawrence, Elihu, 120, 131; Elisha, 123; 
Harlow, 154, 185, 194, 206; Jonathan, 
89; John, 118, 121, 131; Thomas, 74. 

Leach, Gen., 202; Daniel, 105; Josephs., 
204. 

Ledoit, Benjamin, 105. 

Lee, Joseph, 105; Richard Henry, 117. 

Lel.wd, Daniel, 151; Charles E., 163. 

Lewis, Aaron, 159, 171; Lieut. Barachiah, 
10, II, 12, 43, 44, 50; Bradford, 90, 190, 
194, 201; Clara, 157; David, 141, 146; 
David W., 163; Elizabeth, 157; Fanny 
S., 157; George W., 163; Harriet, 157; 
Isaac, 18, 19, 20, 46, 47, 54, 71, 79, 117, 
119, 129, 134, 136, 139, 140, 159; Isaac 
Newton, v., 157, 184; James A., 165; 
Jason, 159, 163, 171; John, 18, 20, 46, 
102, 105, III, 117, 120, 123, 127, 128, 
130. 133. 137. 157, 159; John W., 159; 
Martha, 157; Mary, 132; Priscilla G., 
157, 171; Rev. Samuel, 182; Susanna, 
171, 172; Timothy, 105; Willard, 143., 



[213] 



156, i88, 194, 204; William, 105, 106, 

171, 185. 
Lincoln, Abraham, 161; Gen., 139; Gov 

Levi, 146; Oliver, 151, i/l. 
LiNDLEY, Levi, 118, 123, 130. 
LiNDSEV, John, 105. 
Livingston, W. H., 117. 
LovERiNG, Rev. J. F., 177. 
Low, Isaac, 1 17. 

Lowell, Rev. Dr., 151; James Russell, 176. 
Lynch, Thomas, 117. 
Lyon, Alpheus, 123; Ebenezer, 131; Elijah, 

121; Isaiah, 105, 120, 131; Mary, 96; 

Peter, 74, 84, 91, 93, 94, 96, 118, 121, 

131; William H., 166. 
Luce, Joseph, 166. 
LuMBERD, Frederick, 166. 
Lusher, Capt. Eleazer, 2, 6, 7, 26, 190. 

Macginnis, John, 163. 

Mahoney, William, 202. 

Man.a«an, Mark, 157. 

Mann, Capt., 129; Benjamin, 121; Elias, 
118, 121, 130; Ensign, loi, 136; Emily, 
157; George H., 185; Horace, 173; Jacob, 
124; John, 191; Joseph, 121, 123, 131, 
137; Lydia, loi; Margaret, 132; Miss, 
157; Sabin, 120; Samuel, 159; Seth, 129, 
134, 135, 141, 154; Theodore, 95, 109, 
no, III, 121, 191; Timothy, 121, 123, 
126, 134, 135, 136, 148, 149, 150, 191; 
William, 159. 

Manning, Charles, 193. 

Mansfield, George, 166. 

Manter, William C, 163, 166. 

Marsh, Rev. Francis J., 175; John, 70. 

Marshall, William, 94, 105, 123, 134. 

Mason, Mr., 97; Samuel, 158. 

M.ather, Sarah, 167. 

Maxey, Levi, 19; Virgil, 197. 

May, S., 151. 

McCloud, Lydia, 106. 

McCarthy, John, 166. 

McKean, Thomas, 117. 

McKew, John E., 162, 164. 

McNeil, Neil, 92. 

Merriam, John, 123. 

Merrick, Rev. John M., 176, 177, 204; 
John, 177; Minnie, 187. 

Merrill, Alfred F., 166. 

Messinger, Rev. Mr., 80; Sallie, 185. 

Metcalf, Ann, 157; E. M., 159; Ellen, 



157; Jonathan, 12, 15, 41, 45, 48; Martha, 
157; Michael, 6, 44; Thomas, 18, 19, 46, 

49- 

MiDDLETON, Henry, 117. 

MiFLiN, Thomas, 117. 

Moore, William (Representative), 204. 

MoREY, Bainbridge, 157; Ezekiel, 105; 
Rev. George, 133, 134, 137, 147, 148, 
149, 151, 152, 154, 168, 169; George, 203; 
George P., 203, 20^; Mary, 157; Pris- 
cilla, 149; Palmer, 149, 185, 203, 204, 
205; Sarah J., 157. 

Morse, Aaron, 121; Abner, 131; Amos, 
123; Benjamin, 71. 129; Benoni, 120; 
Daniel, 7, 22, 61, 63, 64, 69, 70, 72, 74, 
82, 83, 118, 123; David, 121, 147; Ezra, 
24, 40, 41, 47, 51, 61, 62, 64, 70, 75, 78, 
79, 82, 89, 205; George H., 165; Jede- 
diah, 62, 70, 72, 74, 86, 89, 95, 96; John, 
71, 171; Joseph, 75, 87, 105; Josiah, 70, 
87; Joshua, 136; Jotham, 120, 145, 171; 
Keziah, 167; Lucy, 171; Mary, 100; 
Obadiah, 84, 120; Peter, 136; Samuel, 
84; Timothy, 49, 67, 70, 72, 73, 74; H. 
A. & Co., 201. 

Morton, John, 117. 

Murphy, Edward, 105, 106. 

Mylod, Warren, 163. 

Nason, Mr., 99; Lucv, 171; Mary, 171; 

Nathaniel, 120, 131; Samuel, 192; 

Thomas, 121; Willabor, 121. 
Neal, Anne, 132; John, 123. 
Nickerson, George W., 164; John C, 

164; Silas W., 164. 
Needham, John, 100, 143, 145, 190. 
Nevin, Rev. Edwin H., 174. 
Newell, Jonathan, 151; Josiah, 151. 
Newhall, Rev. George, 173. 
Nichols, Rev. Dr., 151. 
NuDD, John A., 165. 

O'Brion, John P., 201. 
Ogden, James, 192. 
Onion, Benjamin, 44. 
Otis, Cushing, 172. 

Packard, Caleb, 105. 

Page, Asa, 121, 137; Charles, 121, 123; 

Ebenezer, 121; Joseph, 121, 123; Libeas, 

123; Thomas, '121, 123, 136. 
Paige, Nathaniel, 17, 18, 45. 



[^H] 



Paine, Robert Treat, 117; Thomas, 19, 46. 

Palmer, Col. John, 58; Thomas, 57, 59. 

Parke, Burgess, 157, 164. 

Parker, Joseph, 71; Samuel, 5, 23, 24; 
Theodore, 160, 170, 176. 

Partridge, Ebenezer. 85; Eleazer, 49, 52, 
62, 70, 72, 74; Emmons, 204; Hannah, 
loi; Henry, 120, 136, 137; Otis, 123; 
William, 71, 83; Zachariah, 142. 

Payson, Daniel, 171, 185, 193; George, 
107, 108, 109, III, 120, 123, 126, 135, 
145, 205; John, 100, 168; Madam, 126, 
129; Rev. Phillips, Sr., 13, 47, 79, 80, 
81, 89, 95, 98, 99, 103, 126, 132, 133, 
143, 167, 184; Rev. PhilHps, Jr., 168; 
Rev. Seth, 120, 168; Rev. Samuel, 168; 
Swift, 97. 

Pember, Stephen, 193. 

Pemberton, Thomas, 18. 

Pendleton, Edmund, 117. 

Perkins, Rev. Mr., 179; Benjamin, 90; 
Fanny, 157; John, 151; Martha, 157. 

Personlius, Martin, 166. 

Pettee, Abiel, 121, 13:; Benjamin, 121, 
123, 129, 137; Hannah, 92; John, 93; 
Joseph, 20, 92, 93; Mary, 92; Samuel, 
54, 70, 74, 82; William, 20, 120, 129, 

133' '37- 

Peters, Moses, 131. 

Pierce, Rev. Dr., 151. 

Pierpont, Rev. Mr., 151. 

Pike, Jarvis, 51, 56. 

Pitcher, Moll, 122. 

Piper, Albin M., 166; Elbridge, 204; E. 
Brigham, 162, 163; Samuel N., 163. 

Pitchen, Joseph, 123. 

Plimpton, Asa, 121, 123; Carrie A., 157; 
Calvin G., 19, 197, 198; C. G. & H. M., 
19, 197; Daniel, 159; Elias, 159; Elijah, 
121; Ezekiel, 130; George A., 184, 194, 
198; Henry, 151, 158, 171, 195, 197, 198, 
204; Horace, 202; Henry M., 197; James, 
95; Joseph, 130; Josiah, 56; Susanna, 
171; Ziba, 159. 

Plumb, Rev. A. H., 179. 

PoLLEY, Nathaniel, 185. 

Pond, Sergt., 15, 24; Handel, 159; Jabez, 
47; John A., 159; Nathan, 100, 102, 123, 
129, 135, 140; Nathaniel, 52; William, 

47, 5^- 
Porter, Rev. Huntington, 132, 133, 168; 
Rev. Dr. E., i i;i, 153, 



Pratt, Ebenezer, 105. 

Preble, Judge W. P., 151; Nathaniel, 94, 

98. 
Presby, Bird & Presby, 200. 
Puffer, Matthias, 121. 
Putnam, Rev. Frank C, 175. 

Ramsbottom, Job, 163. 

Ramsdale, Amos, 120, 131. 

Randolph, Peyton, 117. 

Raymond, Ephraim, 151. 

Read, Ichabod, 121, 130; Jonathan, 131; 
Col. Joseph, 130; Rev. Mr., 127. 

Reeney, William T., 165. 

Rho.ades, Benjamin, 93, 95; Charles J., 
164; Eleazer, 95, 141; Eliphalet, 139, 142, 
198; John, 95; Mary, 103; Samuel, 100, 
120, 131; Stephen, 95; William, 178, 179. 

Richards, Edward, 23; John, 45, 56, 105. 

Ridge, Edwin B., 165. 

Ripley, Rev. George, 176. 

Richmond, Rev. Dr., 151. 

Richardson, James, 191; John, 68, 69, 
72, 74;N. H. F., 163. 

Riley, Rev. D. H., 182. 

Ritchie, Rev. Mr., 151. 

RiTTER, Thomas, 120. 

Robbins, Aquilla, 87, 94, 97, 107, 108, in, 
136, 205; Daniel, 123; Ebenezer, 48, 61, 
62, 70, 73; Erastus, 202; Ezekiel, 62, 
67, 69, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 78, 79, 83, 84, 
87, 88, 94, 98, 99, 100, 135, 140, 143, 
190; Joseph, 171; Lewis W., 202, 203; 
Lizzie, 157; Widow, 108; Nabby, 171; 
Philip, 98, III, i 21; Phoebe, i7i;Tabitha, 
100; William, 5, 36, 37, 43, 49, 57, 66, 
70, 74, 83, 88, 130, 136. 

Robertson, Robert, 200. 

RoBicHAU,x, Mary, 157. 

RoEisoN, Michael, 166. 

Rodgers, George, 117. 

Rodney, Caesar, 117. 

RooNEY, John B., 201. 

Ross, George, 1 17. 

Royal, Col., 97; Isaac, 102. 

RuGGLES, David, 191; Harvey, 147, 171. 

Russell, George A., 166. 

Rummal, Alex. A., 166. 

Rutledge, John, 117. 

Ryan, Patrick, 165; Thomas, 166. 



S.ackett, Norman .A., 166. 



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Sanders, Rev. Dr., 151. 

Sanger, Rev Mr., 151 

Savage, Rev. Robert W , 178 

Scott, James G., 183; Winfield H., 165. 

Semons, Asa, 105. 

Seymour, Rev. Bela, 174. 

Shea, Thomas, 164. 

Shears, Samuel, 52, 62, 67, 70, 73, 87. 

Shepard, Daniel G., 163; Ephraim, 185, 
193, 201; James S., 193; Jonathan, 105. 

Sheridan, Fred, 164. 

SiMPKiNS, John, 18; Thomas, 18. 

Smith, Alfred, 203; Artemus, 171; Asa, 
129, 136; Christian, 123; Christopher, 
121, 137; Daniel, 190, 192; Eleazer, 189, 
196; Ehphalet, 123, 180, 192; Elbridge, 
190, 192; Henry, 71, 83, 84, 87, 119, 120, 
129; Horace, 192; Isaac, 117; James, 70, 
74, 84, 92, 121, 131; Jeremiah, 1 1 1, 118, 
119, 121, 124, 129, 131, 159; John, 43, 
105, 120, 123, 171; John H., 163; Joseph, 
52; Liffie, 171; Lydia, loi; M., 180; 
Mason, 171; Metcalf, 171; Miriam, 172; 
Moses, 123, 136, 171; OHver, 123; Paul, 
v., 164; Peter, 171; Pitts, 158; Richard, 
117; Riol, 123, 201; Samuel, 120, 123, 
137; Sarah, 171; Seth, 135; Silas, 180, 
199; Seleny, 178; Rev. W. B., 177; Wil- 
liam, 105; William R., 159; Rev. Willard, 
180. 

Snow, John, 84. 

Spain, William, 166. 

Spear, Charles N., 163; Horace A., 165. 

Spur, Col. Robert, 58. 

Stacy, Samuel, 105. 

Stanley, John, 197; Thomas, 197. 

Starkweather, Esq., 144. 

Starr, Comfort, 47. 

Stearns, Nathaniel, 15. 

Stebehen, Charles, 123; James, 123. 

Stevens, Henry W., 163; Robert W., 166. 

Stetson, Edward P., 195; Deacon Everett, 
174, 185, 192, 195, 196, 198, 206; Joshua, 
147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 195; Joshua, Jr., 
155, 185, 195, 196, 200, 204, 205, 206. 

Stockwell, Quinton, 4, 34. 

Stone, Ebenezer, 147, 155, 185, 206; Dr. 
S. E., 154, 163. 

Storer, Rev. J. P. B., 150, 152, 153, 155, 
170, 173, 176, 184, 206. 

Stoughton, Israel, 25; William, 17. 

Strong, Gov. Caleb, 145. 



Sullivan, Gov. James, 145; John, 117. 
Sumner, Increase, 127; Mary, 103; Hon, 

Charles, 160. 
Swift, Anne, 90, 167; Rev. John, 90. 

Talbot, George, 123. 

Thayer, Eleazer, 105. 

Thomas, Henry A., 164; Martin, 166. 

Thompson, Deliverance, 95; Rev. Edwin, 

161, 183; Elijah, 141, 171; Samuel, 120, 

129, 138. 
Thorp, Peter, 47; Samuel, 47. 
Thurber, Rev. Edward G., 174. 
Thurston, Jonathan, 14. 
Tilton, Hubbard W., 198; Gen. William, 

198. 
TiMLow, Rev. Hemon R., 174. 
Tinker, Elizabeth, loi. 
Tisdale, Francis A., 165. 
ToPLiFF, Samuel, 74. 
Townsend, Rev. Mr., 151. 
Trot, Widow and Son, 51; Thomas, 132. 
Tucker, Joseph, 121, 123. 
Turner, Abner, 120, 136; Amos, 121; 

Bezaliel 120, 129, 137; Calvin, 198; 

Daniel, 159, 185; David, 123; Ebenezer, 

49, 70, 72, 80; Edward, 71; Henry, 71; 

John, 71; Joseph, 123; Nathan, 123. 

Valentine, Col., 158. 
Vincent, Rev. J. H., 181. 
VosE, Charles, 200. 

Walker, Leonard, 157. 

Walpole, Sir Robert, 59, 184. 

Ward, Nehemiah, 71, 72. 

Washburn, Andrew, 157. 

Washington, Gen., 117, 122. 

Way, Helen M., 187. 

Ware, Beriah, 71; Ebenezer, 52; Rev. H., 

151; Jonathan, 185; Lyman S., 171; 

Nathan, 146, 171; Samuel, 52. 
Weatherbee, James, 105. 
Webster, Daniel, 153; Rev. H. V., 181. 
Weeks, Hezekiah, 105; Rev. J. H., 177, 178. 
Wendell, Oliver, 127, 145. 
Wentworth, Charles, 64. 
Weston, Rev. Mr., 179. 
White, Henry, 37, 144; Jonas, 132; Rev. 

Mr., 151, 153. 
Whiting, Nathaniel, 6, 24, 40; Samuel, 

43; Timothy, 43, 44. 



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Whitman, Asa, 147, 148, i49' '^5' '93/ 

200, 206; Henry C, 200. 
Whittemore, Joseph, 105; Josiah, 102, 

120. 
WiATT, Edward, 74. 
Wild, Charlotte, 172; Jonathan, 135, 139, 

171, 200; Warren, 171, 185. 
WiGGiN, John, 163. 
Wight, Daniel, 44; Jonathan, 84; Joseph, 

17. 44. 47, 54- 
Wilkinson, Joseph, 95. 
WiLLETT, Andrew, 118, 126, 132, 134, 135, 

136; Joseph, 79, 84; Roland, 185, 197. 
Williams, Jason, 158. 
William & Mary, iio. 



WiLMARTH, Naaman, 191, 204. 
Wilson, Ephraim, 47 ; Rev. John, 39. 
WisNER, Henry, 117. 

WiNSLOw, F. O., 178; Rev. D. L., 180; 
N. B., 180. 

WiTHERTON, 92. 

Wood, Holland, 132; Horatio, 156, 185, 
Woodcock, John, 105. 
Woods, John C, 163, 165. 
Woodward, Ebenezer, 12, 54; Peter, 2, 

7, 30- . . 
Wright, William, 91, 95. 

Young, Rev. Dr., 177; George W., 164. 



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